DOMINION NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 February 1928, Page 1

DOMINION NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association,

BAIL REFUSED. AUCKLAND, Feb. 10

After pleadng guilty to-day to the theft of £72 10s. funds collected for the establishment of a new City Hotel, Stanley Uren Thomas (bis counsel) applied for bail to enable his client to be married. Bail was refused, but Judge Reed arranged for the prisoner to conte into town between to-day and Saturday under escort of a plain clothes warder. KILLED BY DOCTOR’S CAR. AUCKLAND, Feb. 9. A pedestrian named Robert Pendergast, who was knocked down hv a motor car driven by Dr Endlebergcr in the city to-day, died in the hospital to-night. MAORI YOUTH’S DEATH. GISBORNE, Feb. 9. At the inquest held at Tokomafu Bay to-day. in connection with the Maori boy, Heki Tapn, aged about Hi, whose body was found floating in Tepuia Lake, on February Stli. having been missing from homo since Sunday, evidence of an unusual character was adduced. George Dewes, jtmr. stated that about noon on Sunday ho met the Maori boy Tame Paka i. who produced a bottle of whisky, about three parts full. Together they consumed the contents and the bottle was thrown into the lake. Witness walked a round the back of the hike. Deceased appeared to be under the influence of liquor, and as somewhat incoherent in speech. Dewes declared that lie did not see anyone supply liquor to deceased, and left him there. Later he and Pakai met again, and went to the hospital, where after talking for some time they parted and went home. Pakai phoned hint later in the evening, and inquired after deceased, and witness went out and searched in vain. Tame Pakai, a Maori youth, said lie found a full bottle of whisky under the seat of a car which he drove for his employer. He took the bottle and went down to the lake, where he met deceased. At a point near the quarry lie Intel three drinks and deceased had two. Then witness left his companion. Witness met Dewes and together they finished the bottle. Meanwhile deceased had gone to lay down in the scrub where he was later seen by Bowes. When deceased could not be found, witness thought he would be all right thinking he had stayed with friends.

The jury returned a verdict: that fho lad was drowned on February 5, hut there was not sufficient evidence its to how lie got into the water.

LAUNCH DESTROYED. AUCKLAND. Feb. 9.

The towing launch Dauntless was totally destroyed by lire of! Maraetai Reef, early on Wednesday morning, when towing a barge loaded with shingle from Pounui to Auckland. The loss is estimated tit about £.j()o. When off Maraetai Reef. Captain Cole, who wtis then on deck, noticed smoke issuing from the engineroom. On investigating lie found that it lire bad broken out. I lie flames spread rapidly. Captain Cole cut the Dauntless adrift-from the barge and headed the launch a! fell speed lor the reel. He succeeded in running the craft aground before water commenced to pour into it. The launch was burned to the water’s edge.

('OSTIA lirTT HOAD SLIP. WELLINGTON. Feb. 8. The City Engineer rejKirted to the City and Suburban Highways Board to-day that, the total cost of removing the slip on the Halt Hoad last winter was £5130 2s Id. This amount, however.' has been reduced to £3OBO 2s 4d by the rebate ot £ll4-1 10s paid by the Bail way Department for spoil deposited in the Thorndon reclamation.

SWEEPING OPERATIONS. WELLINGTON, Feb. 8. The Marine Department has issued a notice to-day on the authority ol the Commodore Commanding the New Zealand Station, that from daybreak on February 13th. sweeping operations will be'conducted in the vicinity of the reported position ol the Northumberland Hock, on the Ariel Bank, off (2 isborno. Tlic operations will probably last several days, and the area will be marked by unlighted buoys. Vessels are warned to keep well clear of the area. A. further notice will ho issued when tlie operations are completed and the buoys withdrawn.

DOMINION’S UNEMPLOYED. WELLINGTON, Feb. 9

The Prime Minister, to-day made a statement on the unemployed in Auckland. He states that the real figures are not yet ascertainable, hut that there are a large number of unemployed in Auckland is not denied, hut there is reason to believe it lias not assumed such proportions as has been stated in some channels, lo meet the situation, however, special works are to be taken in band by the Government and the Auckland City Council. He stated also that a comprehensive scheme of afforestation throughout New Zealand has also been prepared for this year, which will result in the absorption of a large number of men. when the planting season commences. The Government is employing at the present time over 10,000 men on Public Works construction. 01 that number over 4.000 are employed in the Auckland District. In the meantime, all those who arc in need of work are again requested to register their names at" the district labour offices.

HORSE TRAINER ACC)FITTED WELLINGTON. Feb. 9.

After three-quarters of an hour retirement. the jury returned a verdict ol not guilty against Albert Goodman, of Trentliam, a horse trainer, who was charged in the Supreme Court, before the Chief Justice, with negligently driving a motor car on the Upper Hutt Hoad, thereby causing bodily injury to Percy John Aldridge and Norman Pa rata, by colliding with a motor cycle on which the two were riding. Both Aldridge and Paratn had had their right legs broken. Aldridge’s leg had to be amputated, and Parata was still in hospital. Mr H. F. O’Leary, for accused, said that Goodman was travelling at a reasonable speed, from 20 to 25 miles an hour, and he was perfectly sober. His view of the road ahead was obstructed bv a ear in front of him. and when he pulled over to pass it, there suddenly flashed up in front of him a motor cycle with two men on it. It was too late to avoid a collision. The reasonableness of Goodman’s speed and testimony to h is complete sobriety were corroborated by several witnesses. The motor cycle was also stated to he travelling nt a fast speed.