DOMINION NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 September 1928, Page 3

DOMINION NEWS.

(By Telegraph—P?r Press Association.), AUGUST WEATHER. WELLINGTON, Sept. 0. Dr Kidson’s report on the weather for August states:—August was, on tho whole, a satisfactory month as regards rainfall, especially-in view of tho distribution during the precoding months. In most of the Auckland Province wlioro there was little need for it, the rain was below normal. In Nelson and parts of Otago and Southland, too, there was a. deficiency, and good rains will bo wanted soon in these districts especially in the first if tho season is to commoiice well. Elsewhere the registrations wore mainly above the average, and much good will ho done. Most districts experienced remarkably uniform temperatures during tho month, and an absence of extreme cold gave an effect of mildness, even where the menu temperature was below the average. Tlie growth, lias, on the whole, been good, although there is still some shortago of feed in some of the parts which experienced a very dry summer. The conditions generally are favourable, and stock and crops are doing well.

ASSAULT CHARGE. dIREY MOUTH, September 7. Joshua Thomas Carson, aged 25, was fined £5, with costs, this morning on a charge of assaulting a 'four-year-old girl at Greymouth. The police did not proceed with a charge of indecent assault. CREDITORS .MEET. CHRISTCHURCH, Soptembcr 7. A meeting was held to-day ol creditors called by the Official Assignee in tho estate of John Black Batchelor, the missing solicitor, for whose arrest a warrant was issued on August 9th. There was an attendance of fifty creditors interested in the estate and flic Official Assignee presided. The total of debts owing by Batchelor cannot lie ascertained until an investigation is made, but it is estimated that the deficiency will considerably exceed £5,000.

At the meeting, a committee was appointed to assist the Official Assignee in conducting the investigation and authority was given to the Assignee to employ legal assistance.

FIRE AT AIASTERTON. AIASTERTON, Sept. G.

A seven-roomed, two-storied house situate at No. 28, ; Church Street, Masterton, was badly damaged by fire late this afternoon. The outbreak had a strong hold when the alarm was given, no cue. being at home. The shingle roof, covered with iron, gave the brigade a difficult task to extinguish the flames. The home was an old structure, owned by Airs E. At. Biggs, and insured for £6OO and tho furniture for £250.

DEATH AT CAPETOAVN. BLENHEIM, Sept. 7

Private advice received at Blenheim reported the death at Capetown of Airs G. F. AV.at.ts, the wife of tho well known Lansdowno sheep farmer. Ah AVatts: lire,seated Blenheim with a chiming clock for a war memorial were on a round trip and were about to tour South Africa,

THEFT CHAHUKS. PALMERSTON N., Sept. 7. Charges involving theft, of over £3OO were preferred against Samuel Herman Bird (28), a clerk in the Police Court this morning. The police evidence, was to- tlie effect that accused was employed by an acountant who is secretary of various companies. It was accused’s duty to receive cheques and pay them into the Bank, hut several he converted to his own use as well as appropriating petty cash. The thefts occurred over a. period of fourteen months. Accused pleaded guilty and was committed for sentence. POLITICAL. DUNEDIN. Sept. 7.

The definite retirement, on n doctor’s advice, of AH J. Horn, member for Otago Central, leaves three candidates. J. Ritchie is the official Reform nominee, John Bennett . will probably stand as an Independent Reform, and AY. A. Bodkin has been approached to contest as a Liberal.