DOMINION NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 February 1928, Page 1

DOMINION NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.)

IRRIGATION SCHEME INADEQUATE. DUNEDIN. Jan. 30. Otago Central is in tlie grip of a severe drought. Reports show that the races are carrying a totally inadequate supply of water for the needs of the settlers, who contracted with the Government for a supply. Mr Furkert paid a visit last week and it is understood that, lie had an important interview with the very dissatisfied settlers, as a result of which drastic changes are contemplated in tlie administration. Tlie necessity for a big storage against drought or for a hydro-electric, scheme supplying power for pumping stations on the river is said to be indicated, and a. "Star” representative states that combined action is to be taken to compel (lie Government to recognise that the engineers have gravely under-estimat-ed irrigation costs and over-estimated the water available.

HEAVY BAIL. HAMILTON, Jan. 30. Ladies apparel and babies’ and men’s clothing were among the contents of seven suitcases which disappeared from C. F. Washer’s garage at. Tn manga on Friday night, the missing goods, valued at £95 13s 9d, being tlie property of Jackson’s, Ltd. As (lie outcome of this loss two men. Tra. George Land, twenty-nine a brush manufacturer of. Hamilton, and Bernard Francis Murray, twenty-one, were charged before Mr AVyvern Wilson, S.M., to-day with breaking, entering and theft. Bail was opposed by Detective Cullotv, but the Magistrate in granting a remand allowed it at £IOOO for each accused, being £SOO personal recognisance, with two sureties each of £250. MOTOR-CYCLES COLLIDE. HAMILTON, Jan. 30. A fatal accident occurred about 10 o’clock last evening on the TepoiOkoroirc road between motor cycles ridden by Norman Edwin Castleton, IS. and John Henry Thomas Harry Wnodblirn Young, 19. oheesemaker, employed at the Tepoi factory. Both riders died of injuries. Young was riding toward Tepoi and Castleton was proceeding to Patctere from Tepoi when the accident occurred. No one witnessed the impact. Help was not long in coming and both men wero conveyed to the Waikato talYoung died before the institution was reached and Castleton succumbed this morning. Young was a son of Airs Geoffrey Young, of Rukuliin, and Castleton was a son of Louis Castleton, farmer of Patctere.

RESCUER’S DEATH. AUCKLAND, Jan. 30. After assisting in the rescue of a' child from drowning in Alanukau Harbour this afternoon Percy White collapsed and died. Tlie child fell into tlie water from the Cornwallis wharf, and White, although not a strong swimmer, having been severely injured in Lhe war, immediately dived in. Other helpers assisted White and the child to the shore, and. though the child was all right, While collapsed. Artificial respiration was unsuccessful. Deceased, a married man with two children, lived in Onehunga.

PRESENTATION TO DA ORE. "WELLINGTON. Jan. 30. C. C. Dacre, tile Auckland cricketer, was. the recipient to-day of a presentation from Wellington enthusiasts prior to his departure for England.

WOOL STORE BLAZE. ■, CHRISTCHURCH, Jan. 31.

A fire broke out this evening in the dyed and scoured wool store of the Kaiapoi Woollen Alills. Ealined by a strong north-easterly wind, the flames spread rapidly, and the building and contents were completely destroyed. The damage is estimated at £15,000. The Woollen Mills Rrigade and the Kaiapoi Borough Brigade had a desperate light to save the big buildings of the Milk in which they were suecess- | uI, he lire proof walls confining the flames to the wool store.

While it lasted a period of nearly two hours, the Maze was spectacular, and at the worst time, grave anxiety was felt for the safety of the mill. Dense volumes of smoke rose from the burning wool with occasional tongues of flame bursting through the roof. The brigades’ kept water playing on the roof and held the fire from spreading beyond. No damage was done to the plant, or to other build-

ings. The mil! buildings were insured in several officcis, and the stock, with Lloyds. There was no separate cover for the wool store.

.MOTOR SMASH. WELLINGTON, Jan. 31. An accident involving three motor cars occurred in Tait-a Gorge. A ser-. vice car was proceeding towards Wellington and carrying eight passengers, hen it collided with a touring car being driven in the opposite direction by D. T. Douglas, of Masterton. After the impact the touring car swerved across the road, and it was struck by a light dosed car, driven by Airs H. Afarshall, of Upper Hutt, which was coming in the same direction. Airs AlarshoU’s car then crashed into a telegraph post, and stopped within three feet of a 20-foot drop into the Hutt River. The fronts of the cars wore damaged. The radiator of the light car was badly buckled, while the road was littered with glass from the broken windscreens. The ernuk ease of the touring car was broken and the front seat of the service ear was knocked out of position. Several passengers suffered outs. They were attended to by Dr Dudley, hut no one was seriously injured. The driver of the service car was William Ross. Masterton.

DROWNED IN WAIKATO. HAAIILTOX, Jan. 31. A sad drowning accident occurred to-day near the No. 1 bridge, when a hoy, aged 11. Ernest Jonathan, the only son of C. H. Jonathan, a carrier. of Charleniont Street. Whitiora lost his life. ft appears that the boy, Jonathan, with two other boys, the brothers Farquliar. went for a dip in the A\ aikato River. The brothers were standing on the bank when the boy Jonathan entered the water, nnd they suddenly heard cries of distress frotu him,. One nf t.hft brother* seised the drowning

bov and endeavoured to .support him. while the other rushed away for Airs Jonathan, who was nearby. 'When she reached the scene, however, her son had disappeared, as the little boy who had grasped him was only nine years of age. and had been unable to retain his hold. The body has not been recovered.