DOMINION NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 June 1928, Page 2

DOMINION NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.)

BUR WOOD GIRLS- HOME ESCAPEES.

CHRISTCHURCH, June 27

Further evidence was heard at the Magistrate’s Court to-day in the cases in which certain young men are alleged to have harboured girl escapees from the Government. Girls’ Home Institution at Bin-wood, and to have had carnal knowledge of them, the girls being under the age of sixteen years. On two charges of carnal knowledge, James Hannan was committed for trial, while George Qunid, Charles Timothy Rogal (three counts), Maurice Victor Rossiter and Frederick James Fox Sullivan were also committed for trial.

CYCLIST’S SUDDEN DEATH. DUNEDIN, June 27

Henry John Hill Knowles, aged 69. a widower, with a grown-up son and daughter, fell dead off a bicycle while on his way to work at the South Otago Freezing Coy’s works at Finegaiul, at 7 o’clock this morning. Presumably it was a case of heart failure. The body was found by work-mates who were also cycling from Balojutha. It is not known whether an inquest will be necessary.

TR AMEER'S DEATH

INQUEST ON HODGKINSON

WELLINGTON, June 27

An inquest was hold to-day on the death of Mervyn Conrad Ilodgkinson, aged 21. of 2, Oriental Street, Petone, whose body was found in the hush in the Orongorongo country on Dime 21. The Coroner, Mr E. Page, found that his death was due to misadventure. Summing up, Mr Page said the fatality was due to an oversight. '1 he party of three had gone out pig-shoot-ing. and, by way of oversight, neither food nor a compass was taken. The Coroner thought these facts responsible. The weather had been very had indeed at ihe time, and, being very foggy, it had affected the visibility. The second cause was that ,tliey had no food, and thirdly they had no compass. Clarence Pnviiter (who got out) did all he possibly could for Hodgkinson. The verdict was: That deceased died about June 12, from starvation and exposure, while lost in the bush, while out pig-sliooting.

CURIO COLLECTING. ‘ WELLINGTON. June 27.

The collection of old-time coins in the Dominion Museum and of hooks about them has been augmented hv a bequest made by the late Canon Compton. of New Plymouth. It is a very valuable one, consisting of 278 silver and coppers coins and medals, almost entirely of British origin. Sir M. Pomare has written to the solicitors, requesting them to convey to the relatives the sincere thanks of the Covernment.

NEW RAILWAY LINE. WELLINGTON, June 28

Government has decided to extend the railway line from llotorua to Taupo. The Prime Minister states he is guided in his decision by the necessity of opening up further areas of Crown Land, by the experience with fertilisers on land of second and third class, and by results of research work. A further consideration is that in about five years the Forestry Department will require transportation for their tim- - her. Two commissions have reported in favour of rail, but the question of a road was also considered and again the balance was in favour of rail. The work will be put in hand at oiice and a number of men transferred from the East Coast line.

NEW ZEALANDER. FOR MARATHON RACE. AUCKLAND, June 26; New Zealand will be represented in the 15 miles swimming marathon to he held at Montreal on September 15th, by A. A. Bail’d, the well-known Auckland swimmer. The first prize is £IO,OOO. The race is an annual one and in the past has attracted swimmers from all parts of the world. A similar race ls held for lady swimmers.