DOMINION NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 November 1927, Page 3

DOMINION NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.)

LOCAL BODIES’ APPROVAL.

WELLINGTON, Nov. 1

The municipal authorities applaud the petrol tax as a long-required and most equitable of all the systems proposed. -Mr Manton, President of the local Automobile Club, said motorists were in favour of a national system of taxation, ns against local taxation, but did not expect the amount would be so high, notwithstanding the hint given by the Prime Minister.

Sellers of petrol clapped on tbe extra fourpence to-day, at once, on tbe grounds that if it bad been taken off they would have had demands to reduce the price, and the argument cuts both ways. Local bus owners reckon that the new tax means £1 per day to them, but state that they would not mind s much if they had a guarantee that the money would be spent on roads. They wore not convinced that the money raised from motorists in the past had all been spent on roads.

A FATAL FALL. WELLINGTON, Nov. 1. At the inquest on Frederick Foothead, wo died at the hospital on Sunday. from injuries resulting from a full down a cliff at Pukerua Bay, a verdict was returned of accidental death. The Coroner said that the only explanation was that deceased, who was 47. must have fainted or had some sort of a seizure. Deceased was married, and a resident of LynP Hay. A FIRE. BLENHEIM. Nov. 2. A dwelling owned by Griffiths Bros, and occupied by K. M. Gibson, motor driver, was partially gutted by lire in tbc absence of the occupants. ' Insurance on building L'Boo in the State Office and C 325 on contents in South British.

FARMERS CRITICISED. CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 2

“ I think farmers are rather shortsighted in pressing lor exemption lrom the operation of the Arbitration Act,” said J. W. Graham, when the Canterbury Builders Association had before it a copy of tbe bill recently introduced to amend the present Act. 'I hoy are more liable,” bo added ,‘* to be held up by a small strike at a season of the year when they want workers.” It was decided that we do not consider the proposed constitution of the Court to be an improvement on tbe present constitution.”

FLAPPERS IN TROUBLE. PALMERSTON N.. Nov. 2

At the Police Court, Rughv Bulliffe, 19, and Oniric Milieu Turnbull, 19, were charged with being incorrigible rogues, in that they escaped from Point Halswell Itefore the expiration of the term for which they were committed; also with stealing at Shannon from a Chinaman, goods valued at £3 is fid. They were remanded to Wellington to appear to-morrow. A. AND P. SHOW. PALMERSTON N-, Nov. 2. For judging day at Mauawatu Spring Show, the weather greatly improved and the attendance considerably increased. The Prime Minister and members of the Lower and Upper House are present.

EXCITED TENANT. !CH RTSTCTI FRCII, Nov. 2. As a result of the disturbance in a Durham Street house last night. David Taylor, 38, was convicted and ordered to come lip for sentence to-dnv, on a charge of nrc.senting a firearm at his landlord, Thomas Hudson, and lie was fund £t and costs for assault. The evidence showed the firearm was empty though cartridges were nearby. Taylor was excited with drink and objected to bis landlord giving him notice to quit.

AN INQUEST. GISBORNE, Nov. 2,

At the inquest on Alary Cameron, found dead near the residence ol a friend, her son stated she had complained of her heart three weeks ago, but continued going out working and worked very hard. She usually carried

a purse but this was missing when the Iridv was found. Dr Rico stated the deceased consulted him three weeks ago. hut he found no organic disorder. The post mortem disclosed a bruise on the left side of the head, which he thought might have been caused by a blow from a blunt instrument or by contact with the ground. There was no sign of any fractured skull and the brain was normal. There wore signs oi pleurisy of the right lung. Iml the heart was normal in every way except an anti-mortem c.ot present in the right ventricle. Tito stomach contained a quantity of milky fluid which we recommended sliouhl he analysed. 'I lie immediate cause of death was oeeulsion of the pulmonary artery by a clot, hut lie was not satisfied of the absence of any other facts until the contents of the stomach had been analysed.. Hi bis opinion the bruise was probably caused hv a blow as the mark covered only about tt square inch and was mt in a position lie would have expected to find if caused Ity a fall. It could not have been a severe blow. Further evidence showed the deceased occasionally was addicted to liquor and Dr Rice stated if she had fallen while intoxicated death might have been due to exposure. There was a strong possibility of death by exposure hut he could not he certain till an analysis was made.

Airs Ellen Zame stated deceased had called at her house at (5.15 p.m. and remained for ten minutes. Witness saw her to the corner of the house. Airs Cameron showed no sign of intoxication and there appeared to he nothing the matter with her. She discovered the body at (1 o’clock next morning lying up against a fence inside the gate. Airs Cameron had had nothing to eat or drink whilst in the house and they had no quarrel or dispute. Nothing had happened to upset her. Constable .Murray deposed the body was in a position he would expect in the ease of a woman who had fallen down and did not struggle. Close by was an upright, which, in falling, she could not have escaped striking. Tie had known deceased to be intimate at times. The inquest was adjourned.