DOMINION NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 December 1927, Page 1

DOMINION NEWS.

fßy Telegraph—l’cr Press Association.) ASS A FLT AND DOBHFIi Y. IXVFBCAKGI LL, Dee. I. A sensational affair is reported from Bluff, where Arthur Valentino, accountant to the Harbour Board, was found about 10.30 a.in. lying unconscious in tbe Board’s office, with a wound on the bead and a sum of approximately £2OO missing, presumably taken by bis assailant. Valentine states be was making up tbe pav-slieets when lie received a violent blow from behind, and lie remembered nothing lill the police arrived an hour later. At the time of the occurrence most of the Bluff people wore on the wharf, seeing the new tug. Southland, oil on its first trip to Stewart Island. Detectives are investigating. I.ATKB. Arthur Valentine, the victim of the( Bluff robbery, seen by a reporter, states that if was possible for tbe thief to hide behind tbe door within a distance of four foot of where lie was working. There bad not been more than half-a-dozen visitors to the office that morning. He bad not beard any noise at the time, 1 and was convinced that whoever took the money was conversant with tile working of the olliec. A large amount of money lying in in open basket in the strongroom was lot touched. Police inquiries to date nive been fruitless.

INQUEST VERDICT. CUDISTi liUBCII, Dec. 1. A verdict, of suicide by gas poisoning was returned by Mr Young, S.M., in the inquest to-day into the death of Rowland Edward Cowper. found dead at his home yesterday. C'nwper’s dead body was found lying ill a room in which gas bad been turned on. At tbe time the discovery was made the man bad been dead several hours. There was evidence that Cowper bad been in indifferent health, and in a letter left for bis son. lie bad written that lie was “ full un of life.”