DOMINION NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 February 1928, Page 3

DOMINION NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association MAYOR LOSES SEAT. CIIIM STCrri'RCH, Fell. 15. At a meeting of tlie Christchurel Fire Board last evening it was <leckle< that as the Mayor, Mr J. K. Arche had been absent from two <<>nseeutiv< meetings without leave, that he hat lost his seat. Steps will now he taken to fill the vacancy, the Govornmen having power to do so. SELWVX TRAGEDY. INQUEST OX WASHBOURNE. fTIRISTC’Ht *RCI f, Feb 25. At the inquest the Goroner rcturned a verdict that Willi am Henry Washbourne committed suicide by shooting. He left a will giving all his property to his daughter, Joyce, and stating that his wife had dcliberatey ruined his life and he did not wish to bo buried with her. The police state that Airs Washlwuirne disappeared yesterday afternoon and has not been found, despite a search. ENGINEER RESIGNS. GISBORNE, Feb. lA. hollowing on the decision of the Harbour Board to curtail its works. Mr Gamplxdl. Engineer to tile Board, lias resigned. TO TRAIN (TVIT, SERVANTS. CHRISTCHURCH, Fob. 15. The establishment of a school in one of the university colleges for the training of civil servants before taking up duty in island dependencies of New Zealand was urged by Professor MacMillan Brown (Chancellor) at a meeting of the University Council. He said the school should I each not only the Polynesian languages but much of the lore of the islands and give acquaintance with the peculiar customs and traditions oP each group. “With such a system we could always distinguish between want of knowledge and error of judgment leading to some difficulty or crisis.’’ said the Chancellor. “No New Zealand ministry will ever be sure of their ground in the insular dependencies they have to administer till some such scheme has been formulated and put into working order. ’ 111! RAVIN’S VIEWS. WELLINGTON, Feb. 15. Mr Bavin (Prime Minister of New South Wales) who left for Sydney yesterday said he was much struck by the evidence of progress and especially w...i the closer settlement taking [dace. The appearance id the country districts was gratifying in view id the period nt drought. lie had noticed much interest in the increasing number ol Australian visitors at tourist resorts and commented favourably on the worfc of me Tourist Department. MENTALLY WEAK. ASHBURTON. Feb. 15. Daniel McErlain. aged 21). an exschool teacher in Central Otago, was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence when called upon, and oidered to pay Ids, the value of the damage on charges id being found on enclosed premises at night and commitling mischief by destroying cases and straw by fire. The incident occurred at 10.(5 last night. Constable Ward, on duly, saw a blaze ill the yards of shops adjoining the Arcade and on investigating saw .McErlain in the act of heaping straw and cases on the fire, which accused had lighted. A base was handy, otherwise the whole block of old buildings might have gone The police -aid accused was not mentally strong. j death from injuries. WAIROA. Feb. 15. A public works employee named 80-I,crl I,crl Samuel, "illphc'd at the Waikamcam, hydro-electric at Kail„wa fell off a wall ycsleday and received serious injuries from which he died later in the hospital. SCRUB FIRE DANGER. CHRISTCHURCH, Fob. 15. Many houses were seriously threatened by scrub lire in Estuary Road ;,L New Brighton yesterday afternoon. For sev’eu hours volunteer fil'd'tors were engaged quelling llie fire. I hot onlv succeeded after a still battle. At cue stage a man named Fcote was overcome by smoke and beat, and falling unconscious be was not rescued until |,is hair and eyebrows bad been singed and lie bad suffered burns to his arm. > 1 AYOMAN’R BODY FOUND. ROTORUA, Feb. 15. The body of Alary Clark, aged 10. missing since Afonday altornoon t- as discovered yesterday evening in Rotorua Lake in shallow water, a mile ; from the town. Deceased was greatly , depressed by bad health. She was of a clever artistic temperament and her condition preyed on her mind. A note left behind indicated lmr intentions. INQUEST VERDICT. i AVAIROA. Eeh. 15. At the inquest on Robert Samuel, a : verdict was returned that deceased died from injuries receive I by an accidental fall from a ladder to a ioiicrete tloor in the surge chamlier of AYaiUarenioana hydro-electric voiks. WOMAN CLERK CHARGED. WATPUKUR Al ’. Feb. 15. At the Magistrate’s Court this morn, ing Horace Radvcrx Maddaforil, formerly assistant clerk in the office of Patangata County Council was charged with fraudulently omitting to account for sums totalling £/22 los id, thereby committing theft. Accused pleaded not guilty and was committed for trial at the Supreme Court. Napier on February 21st.. bail being granted on a basis of self £SOO and two sureties of £250 each. ENTERIC FEVER REPORTED. CHRISTCHURCH. Feb. 15. Enteric fever cases have been reported from a Maori pah in Canterbury but the medical officer id Health, Dr lei lord, i- retiient as to the number ol people mid tile post affected. Ihe cases are believed to be due to impure water supplies. The Maoris who attended the railway picnic at Little River on Sunday were taken in hand I by a constable wlm marched them back to the Pah. WELC OME RAIN. NEW PLYMOUTH, Feb. 15. A dry spell experienced since the end of December was broken early tins morning by heavy rain which still continues. and apparently extends over a wide area of the north. Taranaki town water supply and electric light and power were causing anxiety which is now removed, while dairy fanners will be greatly relietec . milk production having fallen seriously in the last week or two. ABORTIVE CONFERENv. E. AUCKLAND, l'eb. In. A conference between the parties to the AVestfield Frevdng Works dispute took place this morning, but proved abortive.