DOMINION NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 February 1928, Page 1

DOMINION NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association. LABOUR. LEADER. AUCKLAND, Feb. 10. -Mr H. E. Holland, Leader of the Opposition, opened his North Auckland tour with a speech at Helensvillo last night and will address meetings at Russclt/'on Friday, at Whangarei on Saturday and at Dargavillc on Monday. ALLEGED SLANDER. PALMERSTON N„ Feh. 14. The Supreme Court is to-day hearing a claim for £6OO for alleged slander, the plaintiff being William Simpson Harvey, farmer. Weber, and the defendant George Hales, farmer, Weber. It is alleged that the defendant. s]xike of plaintiff to George Haney, saying: "Wo want you to return the nine fleeces your father (meaning plaintiff) sent to Napier two* years ago." thereby alleging that defendant was guilty of t Heft. It is also alleged that defendant spoke of plaintiff to George and .lint Harvey, saying. ‘‘You shore fourteen of our wethers last year and we can prove it. You bad nine fleeces of ours in your shed, which' you sent lit Napthereby alleging that plain till had knowingly shorn fourteen of defendants wethers and stolen the ileeees. £3OO is claimed in respect of each allegation. DEEP SEA FISHING. AUCKLAND, Feh. 11. Greatly impressed by the beauties of Now Zealand, and particularly its sporting attractions. Lord Grimthropc, who, with Lady Grimthorpe, has completed a month’s holiday in the North Island, left by the Aorangi for Vancouver. Before lie sailed lie sent a letter to a number of the most inllucntia! newspa jaws in Great Britain, in which lie paid a glowing tribute to the deep-sea fishing to he enjoyed in New Zealand. A NEW THEATRE. WELLINGTON, Feh. 14. Messrs Fuller and Hayward have let the contract for the construction of the new Majestic picture theatre in Willis Street, on the site of the present Empress Theatre. The contract price is in the vicinity of .£175,000. Tin now theatre will have seating accommodation for 2500 people, and will he opened on December 10. MOTOR CYCLIST INJURED. CHRISTCHURCH, Feb. 15. Near Akiirou this evening, Roy Gilbert of Lavericks Bay was thrown from his motor cycle as the result of a collision with a motor car on the Hill Road. Tic was admitted to the Akaroa Hospital with a fractured leg and bruises. His condition is not considered serious. MAN ELECTROCUTED. IN WESTPORT GARAGE. WESTPORT, Feb. 15. Peter Egan, motor-garage proprietor, who with his brother, had entered on a business on his own account just before Christinas, was electrocuted in his garage about 11.30 o’clock to-night, while working with a portable electric lamp. Deceased was 33 years of age and single. He formerly worked for the Stockton Coal Mining Coy. on electrical work, and later in motor garages at Nelson and Takaka. It appears that deceased was attending to a car, when a portion of the Ilex (attached to the lamp), which was badly insulated, came into contact with the lamp, with the result that the unfortunate man received a shock at approximately 230 volts. His brother Patrick attempted to drag him away, and in doing so, received a shock which rendered him temporarily unconscious. Mrs Egan, mother of deceased then rushed to me switch board and turned ofl the current. Death apparently was instantaneous. DIED UNDER ANAESTHETIC. CHRISTCHURCH, Feb. 15. In returning a verdict in the inquest into the death ol Joseph Allen, who collapsed under an anaesthetic at the hospital. Coroner Mosley, S.M.. said it was satisfactory to learn that death wits tint due to any lack ol skill or care on the part ol the hospital stall. The evidence Wits that Allan would have died within eighteen hours had the operation not been attempted. MASS OF PITCH. WELLINGTON, Feb. 15. The steamer Dewey arrived front the. Pacific Coast with it cargo of pitch and timber. The pitch was packed in metal drums, with wooden cttds and some ol the containers commenced leaking at sea. Difficulty has been experienced i;n unloading both the pitch and tinibei. a large part of the latter being stuck together. The floating crane, Hikitia was requisitioned to lilt out one mass of between seven and ten tons, which lias boon dumped at Thorndon breastwork. The drums have been leaking since they were placed on the wliarl, but the mess has been coniined as much as possible. It has hardened up with the cool weather, and will he cut up and removed. .