DOMINION NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 February 1928, Page 2

DOMINION NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association. HARBOUR STEAMER aground. AUCKLAND, Feb. 9. Passengers for Northeote and Birkenhead by the last boat from Auck- , land at midnight had an unusual and exciting experience before reaching their homes. The ferry steamer, Kestrel. when attempting to berth at Northiote jetty. missed the wharf, with the result that she stuck fast aground just outside the vehicular staging at Northeote wharf. The passengers were landed at Northeote in a ship's dinghy. The crew remained aboard all night and the Kestrel was got off under her own power this morning. FINED FOR CAR CONVERSION DARGAYH.LE. Fob. 9. Throe* young men. Ivor Maurice Vau-o. George Wakelin and Douglas Al'lHmald. were charged at the Magistrate's Court this morning with unlawfully converting a ear to their own use in such a manner ns not to lie guilty of theft, also with the theft of a tin of benzine. The oar taken had boon left for repairs at the local garage where Yause worked, and was driven by him. accompanied by the other two. on extensive trips of the district. A'nu-e and AfcDonald pleaded guilty and Wakelin withdrew his plea of nut guilty for one of guilty. Yause was fined (.20 and AP Don aid and Wakelin £lO each. An application for the suppression of the names was refused by the Magistrate, who said that the offence was becoming too common and that publication of the names was one of the best means or stopping it. KI.DFRLY MAN KILLED. AUCKLAND. I eh 9. During the lunch hour. Dr Endletsberger was driving his car along Karangaliapo road, when a collision took place between the vehicle and Robert Prendergast, aged 74- years, who lives at Mount Eden. The accident occurred opposite Wiides’ music shop and was wiitie.-se ! by a number of peop'e. ft uas soon realised that Pi'endergast was seriously injured. The St. John Ambulance was culled and lie was c|tii -kly remo-ed to hospital, where it was found lie was suffering fiotn a. broken iau and other injuries. He died in the hospital to-night. DROUGHT AKKKCTS AUCKLAND , RETURNS. AUCKLAND. Fob. 9. Evidence of the serious effect of the pioionged dry spoil on the milk yield of the province is contained in the rei.ttins of imtter and cheese received into the grading stores of the Auckland Karnters’ Freezing Company, Ltd., for the fortnight ended on Wednesday. Expressed in terms of buttorf.it, the (|Uantity of produce received was 4.987.2941 h compared with G. in the cot responding period of last year, tt percentage reduction of 17.6. Viewing the season to date as a whole, however, the situation is more cheering, and the production figures are still substantially in excess of those for the 1920-27 season, although the margin of difference is narrowing with the continuance of rainless weather. In pounds of hutterfnt the receipts into store since the season began on July Ist. have totalled 72,281,419, compared with 00.8-11.127 for the corresponding period of the preceding season. In other words, the nggre- . gate product inn this season is slightly ever 8 per cent in excess of last I season's figure's to tlie same date. A fortnight ago the margin was over Ift per cent. The figures relating to stocks in J store reveal a healthy position. The freezing company is at present holding j, only 77.939 boxes of butter and 12.162 crates of cheese, compared with 307.276 boxes of hatter and 28.913 crates of ( cheese at the corresiioneling period a year ago. Good soaking rains would be the best blessing I’rovidence could bestow upon Auckland dairy-farmers. The dry spell has left its mark on the Season's production, particularly during the last month, hut an early break in the weather should ensure increased yields and result in last season’s figures being substantially improved upon, CHILD STRANGLED. HAMILTON. Feb. 9. The infant twin daughter of Mr and Mrs Thomas Scott, of Vaitoa, met her death last evening in an unusual manner. The twin girls, aged eight and a half months, were playing together in their cot. an iron-framed one, about--6.39. The mother left them for a short, time, having her household duties to attend to in the adjoining room. When she returned site found one of them had wriggled its hotly between the frame and the* mattress, and was hanging by its neck. Lite was extinct. A doctor was called and pronounced that death was due to strangulation. DESERTER ARRESTED. AUCKLAND. Feb. 9. The last of the German seamen who deserted from the steamer Kersten Miles at Auckland on January I. Michael Biringer (2ft). was arrested yesterday by Detective-Sergeant M’Hugb. He pleaded guilty when he came before the Police Court this morning. Cocfnsel who appeared for the agents of the vessel said the Kersten Miles had since left Australia. The agents would have to devise ways and means of deporting Biringer, who was a prohibited immigrant. A remand for one week was granted. CEREMONIAL PARADE. AUCKLAND, Fob. 9. The officers and sailors of the New Zealand Naval Division took part in a ceremonial parade in the city this morning. The landing party comprised a hand and two platoons from H. Dunedin, and one platoon, comprising officers and ratings from H.M.S. Laburnum and H.M.S. Veronica. The Minister for Defence (Mr 1‘- JRolleston) later inspected the naval base at Devonport. and went into the matter of expenditure and buildings with responsible officers. He was entertained at lunch. EMPIRE FARMERS. AUCKLAND, Feb. 9. It is expected that a party of representative farmers from New Zealand will attend a conference of Empire farmers in London, under the patronage of the King, in .Tune. The gathering is being organised by the British National Union, and it is hoped that about 25 farmers will attend from each Dominion. The programme will commence on June 4th., and will terminate on August 17th. Advice received from London by the Auckland office of Thomas Cook and Son. who are arranging the travelling part of the tour, states that after the conference in London, the delegates will visit various agricultural shows in the United Kingdom, and possibly on the Continent if they so desire. Tn London the delegates will he welcomed by the King. The idea of the conference is to coordinate the farming interests of the Empire.- Discussions on many \ ital matters will take place, and it is I>elieved that much good will result from the interchange of ideas. It is understood that the authorities in Great

Britain attach the utmost importance to this gathering. The New Zealand Department of Agriculture is greatly interested in the scheme, but further advice is being awaited from England before any definite steps will be taken. Not much difficulty is expected in arranging a strong and representative delegation from New Zealand. HUGE SCRUB FIRE. CHRISTCHURCH, Feb. 10. An extensive scrub tire, a mile long and a quarter of a mile in width, occurred at South Brighton this evening. Owing to the dryness of the scrub which covers the sandhills in the locality, the fire raged for several hours before it was evntunlly got under control. Fortunately there was little wind. It was with difficulty that a { house occupied by Mr M. Hart x\as saved. A motor car (Hupmobile). the property of Mr Haiqier. was destroyed. This is the third scrub fire at Brighton during the past two months of dry weather. HAY STACKS' DESTROYED. BLENHEIM, Fob. 10. Eire destroyed three* valuable stacks of bay on Air F. E. Fairweather’s Homelands property, Burleigh. The circumstances are most suspicious, and it is considered that the fire had an incendiary origin. Air Fairweather arrived haute at 11 p.m., and there was then no sign of fire, but fifteen minutes later the three stacks simultaneously broke into flames, while there was also an outbreak in a hedge, aboil 150 yards dis- , taut. The night was calm, and there was no possibility of the fire having been spread by wind, while the stacks had been laid down since December 23rd, so that there is no possibility of the outbreak having been caused by spontaneous combustion. The stacks contained altotit 50 tons ■ of prime ryegrass, white clover, and ; lucerne hay, and were worth about £250. They represent the whole of ! Air Fairweather’s winter feed. The police have been asked to investigate I the matter. FOUND DEAD. WELLINGTON. Felt. 10. The body of Martin Wood Alilne, a ' married man. with one son, was discovered about 9 o’clock this morning in 1 the offices of Miss Chrisp, typist. Aliss Chrisp, l>v whom Alilne was om-’ ployed, made the discovery on arrival this morning, tvhen she found the gas turned on. Deceased lived in Alarama Crescent, and his wife is at present in hospital. ' AIINISTER OF ATINES UNWELL. 1 GORE, Feb. 11. - « ’ For health reasons, Hon G. J. Anderson found it necessary to obtain leave of absence front his duties in the Ministry and Parliament. He has been advised by liis medical adviser to take tt long sea voyage. Air and Airs Anderson will leave for England by 1 the Ar.itaroa, sailing from AVellington ' on Atari'll 17th. and hopes to return to the Dominion about the middle of the coming session.