DOMINION NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 August 1928, Page 1

DOMINION NEWS.

— ■— (By Telegraph—Pyr Press Association.) CHARGES DISMISSED. AVELLINGTON, Aug. 10. The Magistrate (Air Page), in a, reserved judgment, dismissed charges of fitealing records and reeeivling electrical fittings preferred against Sidney Frederick William Vausc. Defendant was head.of the gramophone department of his firm’s business and was authorised to give away for the purposes of tho firm’s business such records as he thought fit. The Alagitrate said that, to constitute theft, goods must be taken without colour of right. AVith regard to the electrical apparatus, tho evidence showed that for many years defendant, who was the only one in the firm's employ possessing technical knowledge on tho point, had made a practice, with, the knowledge of his employers, of taking home and testing appliances, whether of his own firm or other firms with which he did business. He was not satisfied that defendant’s action in receiving the goods was other than honest. BOTTLES EMPTY. WELLINGTON, Aug. 10. Believing that the bottles in a showcase in a hotel in Lambton Quay contained liquor, a man named Rush, single, aged thirty-eight, smashed the ease at an. early hour this morning, only to discover that the bottles woreempty. Realising what he had done, he ran away, but was pursued by a con.stablo and arrested. Air Page in Court gave him seven days. TOO LAZY TO DELIVER ArATL. , INVERCARGILL, Aug. 10. Ralph Swan, aged twenty-tliree, pleaded guilty to the theft of two letters containing small sums, and wilfully detaining a number of postal packets from the Mataura Post Office. He was committed for sentence. Accused, who was employed as postman, said that he was too lazy and careless to deliver mails. DUNEDIN DIVORCE. DUNEDIN, August 11. -r Justice Ostler granted a decree nisi at the Supreme Court in tho divorce ease, Edward Stephen Gale versus Elfrida Lucia Gale. Ellis Cl undo W. Hassall, a clergyman, was named as the co-respondent. The petitioner stated that his wife told him in January that she had conceived an affection for the curate of the Church which she attended, and she had left home the following day. Hassall had told witness that ho was going to take Airs Gale away fiom New Zealand.

The evidence showed that the respondent and the clergyman, Hassall, were served with tho petition when they were in Melbourne.

TOUCH JUDGE’S LEG BROKEN

]NYERCARGILL, August 12

An unusual type of accident occurred during the Rugby lootball final on Saturday afternoon. Mr Thos. Finnerty (32), a married man residing at Bluff, was acting as lino umpire, and lie was running up tho lino to signal “touch.” when, the opposing wing three-quarters, diving for the hall near the line, collided nt tho 25 flag, knocking the flng and Finnerty over. There was a crack when could bo heard all over the ground, and it was thought that the flag was smashed, It was ascertained, however, that Finnerty had suffered most in the collision, receiving a fracture of both bones of the lower left leg. He was removed to the hospital.

FATAL CAR SMASH. HAMILTON, August 11. A. collision between a special train to Arapuni and a car driven by Air A. Ramlru p, farmer, at Hinucra, occurred at Matamata at mid-day. There were also two Afnori women and a child in the vehicle. Mrs Runt and her child were killed outright. The other passenger fractured her hip. RamJrup sustained a severe scalp wound. The ear was completely smashed. LEVEL CROSSING SAIASH. PALMERSTON N-. August 12. At Shannon on Saturday afternoon, the .Wellington-Auckland express crashed into a Ford five-senter ear,.driven by .nr J. Spooner, of Palmerston North, and containing Airs Raker, of Shannon as a passenger. Tlie ear was smashed to atoms. Both of the occupants were seriously injured, their condition being critical. The accident occurred at a crossing to the side of tho road just north of Shannon. The view there is unobstructed. and consequently it is difficult to understand how the driver did not see tlie approaching train. CYCLIST BADLY HURT. INVERCARGILL. August 12. While riding liis motor cycle along Bluff Rond on Saturday afternoon, a young mail, Cqlin Nicholson (21), a resident of Bluff, collated with a car being towed to Invercargill for repairs. Nicholson passed the towing car, anil lie swung inwards, colliding violently vvitfi tlie car. The impact threw him through the windscreen. Nicholson received a badly cut face and head. He was removed to the hospital. It was ascertained that lie received a fractured left thigh, and his condition is very serious. RAILWAY. SMASH. AUCKLAND, August 11. About 9 a.m. an engine from a suburban train was returning to the city engine sheds, while,a rake of, trucks was being shunted from another line towards the goods, yards. On the engine the, display of a green flag to one diamond crossing was taken, to mean that the line was clear. The engine hit tho leading wagon in the centre. There was a tearing, crashing sound as the wagon and its' load toppled over and the heavy engine jumped the rails. Tlie fireman on the colliding engine jumped off the footplate just as the smash occurred. Tlie engine and two waggons were damaged, and a long “ Y ” waggon was burled off the truck arid overturned. A second truck had its couplings arid draw gear damaged. The permanent way was torn up. hut the track was not . damaged.

PORTER RUN OVER. iNYEKCARGILL, August 12. George Clent, aged 18 years, a railway porter, had a miraculous escape from.serious injury on Saturday afternoon. He was about to pass between some stationary waggons when another rake of waggoris shunted into the stationary rake, and knocked Clent down between the rails,-and the waggons passed river him.. Fortunately,’ none of his linibs crossed the rails as he fell. He was badly bruised, arid was removed to tho hospital.