DOMINION NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 February 1928, Page 2

DOMINION NEWS.

By Telegraph—Per Press Association

THE AIASSEY MEMORIAL. WELLINGTON. Jan. 31. Tenders for the construction of the Massey -Memorial at Point Halswell, will probably he called this month, sulliciciit progress having been made with the specifications to enable this slop to he taken. “THE AVINDY CITY.” WELLINGTON, Jan. 31. Wellington’s weather during January was exceptional in several respects. There was an almost entire absence ot rain. The total fall for the month was less than one-fifth of an inch, marking it as the driest January for H years. Wellington belied its popular reputation as the. Windy City, last ..month a remarkable feature of the meteorological reords being the even atmospheric pressure, due to more or less constant anti-cyclonic conditions, and tlie many days ot calms or light airs. Strong northerly or westerly winds were conspicuous only by their absence. The bright sunshine recorded during tin* month was far above the average.

HORSE TRAINER C'OAIM I TIED. WELLINGTON, Jan. 30. Albert Goodman, the horse trainer of Trciithain. who was charged with Inning driven a motor car in a negligent and reckless manner on the Alain Road Upper Hutt, on September 17th last, thereby causing bodily harm to Norman I’arata and Jack Aldridge, who were riding pillion on a motor cycle. He was committed to the Supreme Court tor trial. Bail was allowed. The Alagistrato refused counsel’s plea to dismiss tho case. The evidence given as to Goodman s sobriety was unreservedly accepted by the .iiiigistraie. who said that the police case in this respect, had failed. The question as to whether Goodman was or was not guilty of negligence in thus causing tlie collision, was, said the .Magistrate, a question for the jury to decide.

AIAXGAir.VO POWER. PALMERSTON N., Jan. 30

Al a iniilereiice of delegates representing all authorities securing electric power from Alangalioa held, to-day, Air Kissel. Departmental Engineer. pointed out the serious position that had arisen as the result of the dry spell, and that a reduction in the load was essential. 11c acknowledged the efforts that several Power Boards and Borough Councils had already made to meet tlie situation, hut pointed out that that was not sufficient to meet the crisis now facing the Department. After a lengthy discussion, the conference gave the Department authority to make twenty per cent, reduction in loads, leaving it to the various hoards to make their own arrangements to meet the circumstances. Air Ivisscll considered that 20 per cent, reduction would meet the situation.

N.Z. DEN lAL DIVISION. WELLINGTON, Jan. 31

Few [icople not actually connected with the Service realise what has been done by the New Zealand Dental Division in the treatment of children’s teeth throughout the Dominion. Since its inception in 1921, 976,021 cases have been dealt .with by officers of the Division, the case comprising 41 1,040 extractions and 277.781 minor operations. During the past year there were 31 first year probationers and 27 second year probationers in training, while nine dental officers and 62 dental nurses wore in*the field. Forty single clinics, sixteen double clinics, and one training school have so far been established. The number of children under regular treatment exclusive of those treated at the training school is approximately 441,(X!0, and the number of eliild.ren who have been treated at the training school is approximately 1403. Treatment perfmtmed during. 1927 by dental officers*, dental nurses and proha tinners in training, numbered 116.916 fillings, 6(4,523 extractions, and 76,636 minor operations, making a total of 260,095. DANGER OF BENZINE FIRES. CHRISTCHURCH. Jan. 31. Regarding the case of the hoy burned to death, at the inquest. Alex Gale, aged 10. who wait with deceased when injured said there was a benzine tin in the washhouse at his home, beneath some timber. They went to an adjoining vacant section to light a fire, taking with, them the tin, which contained only a small quantity of benzine. AVutkins had some dry flax twine in his hand, and he dipped it i'll petrol and set lire to it. An explosion occurred instantly, and Watkins was enveloped in flames. Deceased’s younger brother, aged 9, Reginald, rushed to help him. but was unable to heat out the flames, and was hadl.v burned on itlie hand. Three other hoys present ran to toll their mother had had happened. Mrs Gale, occupier of the premises where the iK'nzine was touud. and mother of the witness, Alex Gale, said she had no idea that benzine was on the place, and it must have keen left there by a previous; occupier.

The verdict was that AVatkins died following extreme burns, accidentally received.

The Coroner added that this tragic occurrence should serve as a warning to people not to leave benzine where children could gain access to it. In this case, no blame was attachable to Mr and Airs Gale. He commended the action of Reginald AVatkins in attempting to save his brother.