DOMINION NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 May 1928, Page 3

DOMINION NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Por Press Association,

I’APAROA MINE IDLE. GREYMOU'ITi:, May 30. Paparoa Coal Company after twenty years existence is closing down and 90 employees have received a fortnight’s notice. It is understood the mine was disposed of as a going concern.

NIGHTINGALE’S SUNG. WELLINGTON, May 31).

■). .1. Reich, of Belmont, reports that between 10 and 10.30 this morning lie hoard nightingales singing at Pongliournc Village, a lew miles troni Beading, England. Tic was listening to a broadcast of 55W British Broadcasting Company, a short wave station The bird’s song though not load was perfectly clear and audible from a loud-speaker.

HORSE DESTROYED. AUCKLAND, Af.nv 30

l.evenside who won a division of tlie Maiden Plate at Avondale in the spring met with an accident while schooling over hurdles at Eflerslie this morning and was destroyed.

WOMAN'S DEATH. AUCKLAND, May 30

Mrs Nellie Parrish, an elderly woman, died at tlie hospital as the result of injuries sustained on May 19 when siie was knocked down by a bicycle as she stepped from tlie pavement. The 'bicycle was ridden by .) antes Fealherstoue.

RUSE THAT FAILED. AUCKLAND, May 28.

Raising a few shillings hv bluffing was tlm specialty of Thomas Angus (forty-eight), whose novel methods of getting money these hard times were exposed by Chief-Detective Hammond at the Police Court this morning.

Angus pleaded guilty to a charge of being an idle and disorderly person with insufficient means of support, who “endeavoured to impose on certain private individuals with a view to obtaining a benefit.” “His method of endeavouring to get some money was a rather novel one, and it is the first time I have heard of it,” said Chief-Detective Hammond. “To a. lady who had advertised a lost purse containing C 5 and some smaller articles Angus sent a letter giving ns his address the G.P.O. and ti'gncd ‘Your obedient servant, Joe Thompson.’ In this Angus told the woman that lie had a purse, hut if she would forward a few shillings to cover expenses he would, if the description was correct, post it to her. To -two other persons who had advertised lost property Angus sent similar letters, but these be signed ‘Ted Martin.’ He wrote three letters and asked for a few shillings to cover expenses, lmfc he got nothing except getting locked up.”

“His scheme does not seem to have been very profitable,” suggested Mr F. K. Hunt, S.M.

“No, sir. The trouble was that lie did not put stamps on two of the letters which lie sent, while on. the other he affixed an English stamp instead of a New Zealand one.”

Accused was convicted and ordered to conic up for sentence if called upon.

PECULIAR CONDITIONS. AUCKLAND, May 30

Home extraordinary disclosures were made in the police court this morning arising out of ii charge against Roger James Coyle, of being an idle and disorderly person. Though this charge wa s dismissed by Mr Hunt, S.M., from tlie evidence given by Senior-Sergt. Cummings, Scnior-Sorgt. Brown and Chief-Detective Hammond, it appeared that Coyle and other men had been taking money for the relie! of tlie unemployed on an authority signed by C. G. Lindsay (Secretary of tlie Unemployed Committee) and that collecting boxes were so insecure that money dropped out of them. The Unemployed Committee was a sell-constituted both having no authority to colled. The unemployed were authorised by the City Council twelve months ago to make street collections on August 2!i, £334 being collected. Lindsay stated in his evidence that he was appointed secretary at a salary of £4 10s a week and offices were rented. After tlie street collection it was decided to continue collecting. Coyle and other collectors received no salaries hut a. percentage of their collection. Since December they had collected over £I,OOO. Question by the Magistrate, Lindsay said tlie committee comprised himself and three others. Two of them were also collectors. .Mr Hunt described Lindsay’s book as showing nothing. It was disgraceful and he advised Lindsay to get tlie committee placed on a proper footing by some responsible citizens. Meantime he would impound tlie hook for the new committee to peruse and see if tho cash was all right.

RECAPTURED. AUCKLAND, Alay 30. Frank Bailer, one of the two prisoners, who escaped from Mount Eden gao! on Friday night in sensational circumstances, was recaptured. Bailer was recaptured (by Detectives Knight and Davis, accompanied nv Constable .Bishop, of Birkenhead) at Shark Bay, between Chelsea and Kauri Point on the upper reaches of Auckland Harbour. NINE DOGS BURNT. GISBORNE. May 30. Large stables at Alakaraka Hotel were destroyed by fire last night. A drover’s team of nine dogs which had been left there For the night perished, attempts to rescue them being futile.