DOMINION NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 31 January 1928, Page 1

DOMINION NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association. WELL-KNOWN MAN MISSING ROTORUA. .Tan. 29. Horace Humphries, a well-known resident of Rotorua, left on a shooting expedition on Friday. He has not returned, and a. large search party is out. PRAISE FOR MR SI DEV. PALMERSTON N.. dan. «0. That this meeting of retailers at Palmerston North place on record its appreciation of the benefit received by ourselves and our assistants from the operation of the Summer Time Act for the past three months, the extra hour of daylight in the cool evening, in these, hot summer days proved to he a God send so far as health is concerned and our thanks are due to Mr Sidey for his tenacity purpose in securing this great advantage for every retailor, wnrehousemmiui and factory worker, such was the test of the motion carried at a meeting of the Palmerston North Retailers Association.

BATHER DROWNED. DUNEDIN. Jan. 30. About- 6.30 this evening, bathers on Rt Clair beach were alarmed to see a man who had been swimming beyond the outside line of the breakers throw up his arms and disappear. Several members of the St Clair Life-Saving Club immediately swam to the spot, hut although they searched until a late hour no sign of the swimmer was found. Apparently no one saw him go into the water, and his identity is as yet unknown, but he is supposed to have been dressed in a grey tweed coat, light grey trousers and cream silk shirt, and brown lace-up shoes, which were found later in the Surf Club’s dressing shed. INFANT DROWNED. CHRISTCHURCH. Jan. 30. At Darfield to-day, a two year old child, named Maurice John Boulton, was accidentally drowned in a water race tunning through his parent s pi operty. the child, just able to walk, made its way to a hole in the water race, about 40 yards from the house, and fell into it. The child was missed and a searcii resulted in the discovery of the body. At tlie inquest, a verdict of accidental death by drowning was returned. SHOOTING- PARTY MISSING. ROTORUA, Jan. 29. Haupapa, a Urewera native, and Horace Humphries, a well known resident of Rotorua, left on a shooting expedition on Friday and have not returned. , A large search party is out. The weather is intensely hot.

HAMILTt)N REGATTA. HAMILTON, Jan. 31). Rowing Club’s Anniversary Day Regatta was held on the \\ aikato River to-day in tine weather. The principal results are l as follows: — iJunio foul’s: Taurniiga i, St. Georges and AYhangarei dead heat 2. AVon by two lengths. (Senior Challenge lours and Ladies Challenge Cup: Hamilton (B. Fundus. W. Baylv. G. St. Clair. E. Waters) 1. St. George’s 2. Wuitemata 3. Won by live lengths. The only starters. Handicap single sculls: R. Cruicksliank (65 sec) 1. W. St. Clair ( . Molesworth 3. (All Hamilton oarsmen). AVon by quo length. Foilr picked crews rowed in two eight oar trials, which provided excellent races, and the first of its kind seen on the Waikato. MURCHISON ABLAZE. MURCHISON, Jan. 30. The township of Murchison was greatly endangered this morning by an outbreak of lire in tlie Domain Reserve in tlie vicinity of several houses, and also the Young Men’s Institute and the local school. The outbreak was caused by a small fire, lighted by a man living near the (hack of the Domain. gutting out of control. Fanned by a light wind, the Haines took a quick hold, and with a wide face, began running in two directions. From the appearances', nothing could stay the progress of the lire, and all of the buildings were in immediate danger. Volunteer workers rushed to the scene, and, with only wet sacks and a few buckets of water, they attacked the flames. The do - grass, fern, and blackberries were up to six feet high in places, and the heat was terrific.

Where possible, five-breaks were made, and. after an hour's herculean effort, the lire was got under control. The whole township lieing as dry as tinder, it. was only a miracle that a save was effected, and great praise is accorded to the meml>ers of the volunteer fire brigade. This afternoon, more safety breaks were made. The burning stumps were a continued menace, and an all-night watch will be made. A much stronger wind sprang up later in the day and it was deemed fortunate that the fire was then under control. Otherwise, nothing could have been saved in the town. Altogether some five acres of ground were burned. WRESTLING. WELLINGTON. Jan. 30. In the Town Hall to-night. M. A. Sunni, an Indian, wrestling champion of New Zealad. gained his thirtythird victory in the Dominion when he defeated Walter Hogg by a submissive fall in the third round.