DOMINION NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 November 1927, Page 3

DOMINION NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.)

WOOL SALE. AUCKLAND, Nov. 24

The first Auckland wool sale of the season opened to-night before a bench of buyers. There was good competition, all sections of the trade being represented. Finer wools were distinctly dearer than prices at recent .southern sales, while super-style crossbreds were firmer. The average quality wool was about on a par with recent southern rates Good quality pieces when light in condition, were keenly competed for by French buyers, with the result that tlie market for these wools was very firm at late rates. Hogget wool was keenly competed for and realised extreme prices. 'l’lie sale so far as been most satisfactory. A feature of the sale lias been tlie demand for fine class wools by Australian buyers. It is understood this is due to the fact that Australian wool this season contains a large quantity of vegetable matter, New Zealand wools being free from this.

ATTEMPTED SUICIDE. NEW PLYMOUTH, Nov. 2-1

Ail unusual development occurred in the Supreme Court to-night in the trial of Albert Morgan Conroy, aged 50, theatre proprietor, Hawera, on ten charges of indecent acts and one charge of attempted suicide. A verdict of guilty on tlie attempted suicide charge was returned, but the jury failed to agree on the other charges, and a re-trial was ordered.

At the request of Mr M. Wilford, who with Mr P. O’Dea, appeared for the defence, Conroy was immediately charged with the offences, lie fhereupon pleaded guilty to six major charges for indecent assault and nolle prossequi in regard to the other charges was granted at the request of the Crown Prosecutor (Mr 11. Weston). Sentence was deferred hv Mr Justice •Vipers until Saturday. A verdict of not guilty on grounds of insanity, was returned in a case in which Stanley Bert Ames Dosa, retired Indian civil servant, was charged with sending threatening letters to an lnlewava girl. Wood was committed to a mental hospital.

MAN FOUND DEAD. NEW PLYMOUTH, Nov. 25. The dead body of Thomas Quayle was found under a tree about half a mile from his home at Wcstown last night, with an extensive gun-shot wound in the left breast and a gun lying behind him. Deceased, who was a wharf labourer, aged 38, married and no children, bad been out shooting and apparently was returning home carrying a sack of wood, and when passing under a tree on the track, the gun caught in a branch and exploded, causing instant death.

AUCKLAND TRAM FARES. AUCKLAND. Nov. 25. The City Council decided last night to revert (probably in mid-December) to the old schedule of sections and to introduce the former scale of cash fares obtaining before the present scheme was initiated in October, for a six months’ trial. Concession cards will provide for discount ol 25 per cent, this rate being less liberal than the pre-October scale. The most striking effect of the new schedule is the abandonment of the penny sections near the city to the original length. In a report to the Council, the Chairman of the Tramways Committee stated the average weekly revenue for October showed a reduction of £959, which the undertaking could not sustain, particularly in view of tlie continued loss on buses, which on the fortnightly period ended, November 12th, worked out at £iO,BOJ annually (excluding capital charges and depreciation).

A FI BE. GISBORNE. Nov. 24. This afternoon a fire destroyed a fivoronmed dwelling house and contents in Crawford Bond, Kaiti. owned and occupied hy AY. H. Dearness. The house was insured for £SOO in the State Fire Office and the contents for £IOO in the Eagle, Star and British Dominions.

CUSTOMS DUTIES RETURNS. WELLINGTON, Nov. 24. The Customs duties collected at the ports of New Zealand during the quarter ended 30th September, totalled £2,107,116, compared with £2,172,201 for the corresponding quarter of 1926. Of those totals, spirits contributed £371,526 and £325,846 respectively, general tariff £1,332,311 and £1,358,652, British preferential tariff £665,111 and £692.392. During the same quarter of 1927, excise duties amounted to £170,436, compared with £162,142 for the corresponding quarter of Inst year; beer duty amounted to £136,739 and £137,948, in the quarters ending 30th September, 1927 and 1926 respectively.

r.OCOMOTI VUS CONTR ACT. THAMES, Nov. 25. A contract for the supply of three super-heat tank locomotives for the Government was signed at I hnmes yesterday with A. and I’. Price. In h. S’. Lvnde, chief mechanical engineer. and X. Ewart, chief clerk of the engineering branch, who conducted the* negotiations. It is expected the locomotives will be delivered within the next six months for use on the main lines in New Zealand.

AA'OOr. SALES. AUCKLAND, Nov. 25. The wool sales have concluded. Ihe catalogue of 23,245 hales of wool in excellent, condition was practically all sold Compared with southern sales the prices par to a shade easier for wool for tops. There was a keen demand for superfine wool and a substantial advance tin rates. Bellies and pieces were secured hy Frenen buyers at extreme rates.

FOUND DEAD. DUNEDIN, Nov. 25. AYilliam James Smith, a labourer, aged 58. was found dead at Luggate last night, under circumstances that suggested death was due to poison.

CORONER’S VERDICT. ROTORUA, Nov. 20. At an inquest on Maud Noble held to-day a verdict was returned that she died as a result of severe scalds received hy accidentally slipping into a hot pool at Kuirau reserve on November 13th. The jury added a rider to the effect that stops be taken by responsible authorities to protect this reserve which was exceedingly dangerous. Coroner Richards continently severely on the neglect and dangerous state of the reserve which was a death trap. The fatality occurred during a midnight bathing party to a well-known pool in the reserve.

HOSPITAL sanatoria. DUNEDIN, Nov. 25. A hardship imposed on small Central Otaco Districts, where many People suffering from lung disease take up a residence, was discussed by the Hospital Board, it being pointed out that by the amendment to the Hospital Act, making three months residence a qualification, many people from other parts of the Dominion are treated in AVaipiata Sanatorium. It was stated that whereas North Island sanatoria are run by the Government, the South Island ones are conducted by Boards,

CHARGE AGAINST BOAKES ABANDONED. CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 25. Tho Crown has abandoned the charge against Charles A\ ißiarn Boakes,, of having supplied ergot to the girl Scarf!. A stay of proceedings against Boakes was entered by the Crown Prosecutor to-day.