DOMINION NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 December 1927, Page 3

DOMINION NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association. FEN DA ETON Tit AGED Y. CHRISTCHURCH, Dec. 12. William McKay, aged 54, was found hanging this morning at his residence at Fendalton. An inquest was held by .Mr Mosley, S.AI. to-day. McKay, it was stated, had I ecu suffering from insomnia and depression and tentative arrangements had been made to have him transferred to a private hospital. In the meantime, in(lammation of a varicose vein had caused trouble and delayed Ills removal to the hospital. McKay had been in bad health for the past three years. A verdict of suicide b,v banging, " bile in a state of extreme mental ite-pre-sion, w;is reeonled. OBITUARY. CHRISTCHURCH. Dee. 1:1. Obituary. one of tin l pioneers of illustrated journalism in New Zealand. He bail* been employed by the Christchurch “Weekly Press ” and “ Lyttelton Times ” ns a process engraver. A SHIELD PRESENTED. HAWERA, Dec. 13.

A handsome shield has been presented to the Agriculture Department by Henry A. Lane and Co. Ltd., London, through tiieir New Zealand representative, G. 11. Buekeridge, for the encouragement. of dairying and agriculture among the youth of the Dominion. The shield is offered as a perpetual challenge trophy to be awarded each year to pupils of a school gaining most points in various competitions, including those of A. and P. Shows, and Winter Shows. ARSON AND THEFT. DUNEDIN. Dec. 12.

Allan Reuben Barnett and William Henry Mart'll, youths, two of the Chevrolet gang, known by that name because of being involved in tho theft or conversion of many cars of that make, were charged at the police court with arson, breaking and entering. Barnett was also charged with stealing a postal packet. It was shown in one case that damage to a store ly fire was estimated at £3OO, and in the second case damage of £2,700 and third damage to £3OOO. all the eases being taken together The accused admitted being responsible for the fires, and mischief and thefts committed on the premises. A FIRE. PALMERSTON N.. Dec. 13. One of Palmerston North’s oldest land-marks, a building which formerly housed the Fire Brigade in Coleman Place, and later was shifted to Cuba .Street, and used until recently as the headquarters of the Manawatu Philosophical Society and the home lor the museum and other bodies, narrowly escaped destruction when a tire broke out in it uf an early hour this morning. The contractor tor tho erection ol‘ a new hotel and a confectionery bad their goods, etc., stored in the building. tiie latter’s stock being ruined. SHOOTING FATALITY. AIARTON, Dec. 13.

A fatal shooting accident occurred on Sunday afternoon at Cornfoot’s near Kawhatau. Cohn S. Kerr, aged 23, a recent arrival from Scotland, went out to shoot rabbits and it is presumed he stumbled over a log, and the gun exploded, practically blowing off Kerr’s left arm. lverr had a painful struggle hack to the farm house and ’phoned a neighbour, who immediately went to the farm and assisted Kerr, who when admitted to Hunterville Hospital was dead. Kerr, very weak from loss of blood, said the accident happened when getting through a fence, hut the gun was found two chains from the fence. It is presumed that deceased’s last recollection was of climbing the fence. At the inquest, a verdict was returned that death was due to shock and haemorrhage from a gunshot wound accidentally self-in-flicted. Deceased has no relatives in the Dominion. DIVORCE SUIT.

PALMERSTON N., Dec. 13. The hearing was continued at the Supremo Court this morning of the Bolton divorce suit, in which Kelix Stuart Mindmarsh Bolton, farmer, ol Mangatainoka, petitioned for divorce from Eileen -Margaret Bolton, on the ground of alleged adultery with John Edward Hewitt, farmer, of Mangamairc, from whom five thousand is claimed. His Honour Justice Ostler said the application of counsel for co-respondent to have the latter dismissed from the suit, was giving him much anxious thought, hut, added his Honour, the admissions made by the wife are not evidence against co-respondent, hut against herself. The petitioner to succeed in his case against co-respondent, must produce evidence, which to a reasonable mind, must he incompatible with innocence, with regard to the allegations of adultery. Ilis Honour had come to the conclusion that there was not sufficient evidence to prove those. The evidence of the man Swan was not authoritative. There was no evidence that they were at a hack shed in the recreation ground at Pahiatua for the purpose of committing adultery, and they were not there at night. Because there was no evidence of adultery with regard to Hastings, Wellington, and Pahiatua, his Honour must dismiss the co-respondent from the suit. Respondent’s evidence is now hoing heard.