DOMINION NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 September 1927, Page 2

DOMINION NEWS.

fßy Telegraph—Per Press Association.) HEAD-ON COLLISION. NAPIER, Sept. 29. One woman suffered a fractured skull and is in a serious condition, and another woman and a man sustnied lesser injuries, as the result <A a head-on collision between a motor car and a tranicnr in Hastings Street (Napier) at a late hour to-night. The names of the injured and detailed circumstances of the smash have not yet been ascertained. From the wreckage at the scene of the collision. it would appear that the impact was severe.

INQUEST VERDICT. NELSON, Sept. 29. A verdict that death was due to the premature exploding of an unprimed charge of gelignite, which they were preparing to fire in a road cutting, was returned in connection with the Hope Junction blasting fatality.

A LAND DEAL GISBORNE, Sept. 29

A statement by Hon McLeod, in the House on Wednesday, in connection with the purchase of the To Wera block by the Government roused consternation in Gisborne to-day. Pbo Minister, in upholding the Government purchase, and stating that he was prepared to work To Wera said “that for purely political purposes, Te Wera was decried from the first day it was purchased all through the' district. The statement had been made—you cannot get hold of its origin—that this conn try is stock sick, and that sheep will not live on it. I saw where the Gisborne Chamber of Commerce had condemned the purchase of Te Wera. I have had the minutes of that meeting examined, and,' while one can respect the statement of a man who condemns a thing straight-out, what can you think of a gentleman, who, I understand, is a Vice-President of tlmrt Chamber, who was present at thei meeting, and who, about six months previously, set the value down for the owners of the property at £75.000 as he said, on the safe side, although he thought the value might he £85,000: but that, on account of tbe depression, lie thought £75,000 would be a fair selling value? I know exactly what was said at that meeting of the Chamber of Commerce.”

Tn reference to the question, the Alinister, continuing, said the purchase price was £45,000 and some hun - deeds. There was some adjustment in connection with the land tax, which had to he paid for the year. That brought it up. In reply to inquiries made to-day, tne Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce states that the Minister’s claim to have examined the minutes is ridiculous, as the President and Secretary are the only ones who have access to the minutes. The Chamber had never at any time condemned the purchase of l e At era. Regarding the statement re the A T iee-President’s attitude, the gentleman apparently referred to is still strongly on advocate of Te Worn and considers the price paid was not too high,

FIRE IN DUNEDIN STORE. DUNEDIN, Sept. 29. At 10.15 this evening, a destructive fire was discovered in the interior r f Bing Harris’s bulk store in A'ogcl St., a single storey brick building containing bales of soft goods, insured to the extent of about £4OOO or £SOOO. lA good save was made by the brigade before the flames bad spread far beyond a motor car housed immediately behind the front door, but tile damage to the building is fairly extensive. The car- was completely destroyed.

AYELLTNOTON FIRE. AA’ELLINGTON, Sept. 29. A fire damaged a three-storey concrete building in Alpha Street, owned by Courtenay Chambers, Ltd. The first floor was occupied by Christensen. Oldfield and Son, motor body builders and painters, and it suffered through fire and water. A motor car was also damaged. The first and second floors, occupied by Haydons Ltd., clothing manufacturers, escaped except for some little damage by smoke. Tho building is insured for six thousand.

CLA.TAI DISAITSSED. AUCKLAND, Sept, 29. At the Supreme Court to-day,’the case in which William Henry Mackroiv. owner of the racehorse Boomerdav. claimed one thousand pounds damages from Takupuna Jockey Club, concluded to-day. During the running of the fifth race on the second day of tlie spring meeting Inst year, Boornerdav was struck in the eye hv an Abject alleged to be a fragment of one of the posts with which portion of .'the course had been marked off. Plaintiffs (Afr Finlay and Air Ilampson) alleged negligence on the part of the Club. This was denied by the defendants, represented by Air Northcroft and Air Alderton.

Giving evidence to-day, George Reid, trainer, of To Aroha, said the decision to use flagged posts met with general approval. Hon B. AA r . Alison (President of the Club) said the decision to adopt the course chosen was unanimous, as was that in favour of flagging. The Judge gave judgment for the Jockey Club, holding that every reasonable. precaution had been taken, and that no blame was attached to the defendants.