DOMINION NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 June 1928, Page 4

DOMINION NEWS.

(By Telograpk—Per Press Association,

JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL. AUCKLAND. .June 28

According to J. E. Itudinan (principal) the Kowliai Junior High School, the first of sucli institutions established by Sir James Parr when Minister of Education, appears to bo doomed owing to the opposition of the present Minister, and .Director to separate institutions Mr Rudman, at a meeting of householders traversed Kowhai’s history since the inauguration in 1922, after which it was resolved unanimously that this meeting of parents is convinced 1 that a separate junior high school as exemplified at Kowhai is of such advantage to tho pupils attending Fiat the school’s continuation in its present form is of vital importance to the combined districts so well served by its formation.

EXPRESS HITS TROLLEY

TWjO MEN JUMP FOR THEIR LIVEfS.

TIMARU, June 27

Clinging to a clay bank while an express train travelling at a high speed flashed past them, demolishing in its path of the trolley, off which they had flung themselves only a second before, two railway gangers bad the narrowest of escapes from deatli in the Caledonian Cutting, about a mile south of the Timaru railway station, yesterday afternoon. Tho two men J. 11. Simpson and A. E. Andrews, were proceeding to Timaru on a four-wheeled trolley and considered they had ample time to reach Timaru before the arrival of the express from the south, which was duo at 4.18 p.m.

When they woro about half-way through tlio cutting close to the Caledonian grounds the sound of the onrusliing express reached their ears, and a glance to the rear was sufficient to show that it was a matter of seconds between life and death. In the pick of time both men jumped from tho trolley and just had time to flatten themselves against the wall of tho cutting as the express rushed past. Seconds and inches separated the men from what must have been death. With terrific force the express struck tho trolley, smashing it to pieces and hurling broken parts in every direction. The train was stopped promptly, and when it was ascertained that no one had been injured the journey w.V resumed.

CANVASSER CHARGED. AUCKLAND, June 28

Algernon James Body, aged 56, an insurance canvasser, who had previously been employed by the Southern Cross Assurance Coy., Ltd. Wellington, appeared in the deck fit the Police Court to-day cm fifteen charges of failing to'-account to his Company for a total sum of £163 Cs 9.1 collected by him, thereby committing theft. The money was collected in every case from women, principally from school teachers and nurses,- whom the ac.ed had insure I. Ail of the w men gave evidence stating that they had paid their premiums to Body,- hut had not received .heir policies. Frank K. Burnham, General Secretary for New Zealand of the Southern Cross "’Cov., at Wellington, gave evidence. The accused, ho said, was appointed an agent of the Company on September 12th. of last year. He was under an agreement which he sigiv.nl. This provided that all tho moneys he collected should be I anked in the name of tho Company. Quo month later, witness became suspicious, as some of the receipt butts showed they had not been issued in sequence. He wrote to Body on two occasions, hut did not receive any ropy from him. Later a number of complaints were ieccived from people whom tho nc-cu-ed had insured, stating they could not obtain their policies. The C unpa ny had received neither the money collected nor proposals from accused. I/i card) case the Company had since honoured 'tho prop-Y-rals secured 'by accused, and had issued policies. Body was paid on a commission basis on’y. Mr Dickson (who:' appeared for the accused) : “That’s the. whole trouble. The money due to him was not sent. Body owns 75 per cent cf the £163 that lie collected.”

In a statement produce.l liy ActingDetective Waterson, Body said that lie did not forward uie proposals or the money ow i»g to' a misunderstanding concerning the proposals. Ho intended going to Wellington to complete the business and effect n settlement, but be was arrested before lie bad time Vo do so. Pie denied that be had failed to account for the money collected, or that he intended to steal it.

A TRAGIC END. TAIHAPE, June 28. Tlito body of a. young domestic, Sarah Mcßride, was found in the IPautalni River this morning. Deceased has only been five months out from home. She had complained of loneliness.

•ANOTHER SAD CASE. CHRISTCHURCH, June 28. Donald Alexander Afaeßae was found dead at his home at Spreydon, in bed to-day. A gas tube was lying near, and the gas was turned fully on. Mftcßne was a returned soldier. He had been disabled by a bullet wound in the spine. The bullet had not beon extracted, and at times be' suffered intense pain. At the inquest to-night, the Coroner returned a verdict of suicide by gas poisoning.

LOAN AVITHOUT POLL. AUTHORISED. WELLINGTON, June 2". The .committee appointed by the Board of Health to bold a public inquiry into an application by the AVellington City Council for authority under Section 24 of the Health Act, 1920, to raise a loan of £IOO,OOO for sewerage and water-supply extensions in various districts, and for stormwater drainage at Miramar, presented majority and minority reports to tho Board of Health to-day. After summarising the evidence the majority of the committee reported that if the policy suggested was carried out “the position will be that the requisition be granted on the request of a public body elected on a very wide franchise, after public inquiry and by virtue of an Act of Parliament which says thfit a loriii may be raised i without a poll of the ratepayers for iiecessdfy sanitary Works required by the Board of Health to be executed.” In a minority report, Air F. AV. Maclean says that the fundamental principle laid down bv Parliament in connection with the raising of loans by local bodies is that the consent of the ratepayers must first he obtained. He recommends that the general application of the City Council be declined, but that a requisition to carry out drainage works at Aliramar he issued. The majority report was adopted by the board and requisitions are to be issued accordingly.