DOMINION NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 September 1928, Page 1

DOMINION NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association. THE COUNTRY PARTY. HAMILTON, September 13. A unanimous vote of confidence in the Country Party was passod at a mooting at Waitoa, organised by way of a reply to the Hon. McLeod's recent attack at a meeting. The speakers wore Capt. E. Colbeck, and Messrs R. Feisst, W. Boyd. The meeting that, was addressed by the Minister passed a vote of thanks only. AIOTOR. CYCLIST’S DEATH. CHRISTCHURCH, Sept. 13.

An inquest was held to-day as to the death of John William McKay, who was killed outright last night when the motor cycle lie was riding collided with a tramoar at Pages Road. A relative stated deceased was a billiard saloon keeper, of normal health, and bis sight and hearing was good. The tramway motorman, Win. Henderson Roag, said lie saw a motor-cycle approaching in the middle of the rails. The cycle had a good headlight, and the night was clear and fine. AVlien it was several chains away, witness sounded the gong and shut off the power. The cyclist kept on between the rails, and witness applied the emergency brakes slightly, to enable the cyclist to get clear of the track, but the cyclist kept straight on. AVhen the cydo was within ten feet of the tram, witness applied the emergency brake. The motor cycle struck the right-hand side of tho tram. The track was in the middle of the road and there was ample room lor a cyclist to pass. Witness stated the cycle, which was travelling at a fair speed, never left the centre of the track. At the time of The collision tho tram was going very .slowly. A constable gave evidence as to the extent bf McKay’s injury, adding there were no signs of liquor about him. The Coroner found no blame attachable to the motorman.

AIAN DIES OF POISONING. WELLINGTON, Sept. 13. A man who was found on a scat at Lnmbton Station on Tuesday afternoon with a bottle of poison beside him, and who died in the hospital shortly after, admission, has been identified as William Stewart. Deceased was a single man, and lived at 11 College Street.

STORM AVARNING. WELLINGTON, Sept. 13. The Secretary of the Post and Telegraph Department lias received the following broadcasted from tho Sydney radio at 8 p.m.—September 13th.: Special ocean forecast—At 3 p.m. on the N.S.W. coast, strong westerly winds to gales; seas rough in some parts. Intense disturbance off., south-east of the Continent, moving eastward. Rough weather is expected over Tasman Sea-. Strong west to south winds and gales over western parts, extending eastward.

SYDNEY, Sept. 13. Cyclonic storms and gales are raging 'throughout the State. Severe damage has been caused at Nyangaii and Ih'ithliurst, whore, great, numbers. o„f. houses have been unroofed, and trees and telegraph poles have been blown down, thus greatly interrupting communications. Other country centres report heavy damage. i DIVORCE SUIT. AUCKLAND, Sept. 13. Details of a sensational attempted murder case heard before Air Justice Reed in Auckland last February were recalled in divorce proceedings that came before him in the Supreme Court to-day. The petitioner was Honour Clarke MacKcnzie who sought a divorce from Laurence MaeKenzio on the grounds of drunkenness and cruelty. Counsel said the jury had mercifully reduced the charge from one of at-

tempted murder to one of assault so as to cause actual bodily harm. Respondent had attacked his wife with a hammer in her sleep and then turned on the gas after stopping up the door and window. He was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment.

After hearing several witnesses, including petitioner and her son aged 13, who wore lengthily cross-examined by respondent, His Honour said bo was not satisfied that there was any evidence at all of habitual drunkenness, although bo was satisfied the parties ought to be separated. Ho would like to help petitioner in every possible way to get free, 'but bo could only act within the law. He gave counsel leavo to withdraw the petition, leaving him free to take fresh proceedings.

BREACH OF PROMISE. AUCKLAND, Sept. 13

A breach of promise ease heard by Air Justice Reed in the Supreme Court resulted in the woman being awarded £SO damages with costs. His Honour hold that both tho contract and the breach of it had been proved. , The plaintiff was Mrs Sarah Ellen Arnold and the defendant AVni. Frederick Morris, who did not appear. Plaintiff said that in January, 1926 Morris went to lodge with her, and when lie asked her to marry him, she agreed. On Christmas Eve, 1926, he measured her linger for an engagement ring, and in January she purchased a section at Blockhouse Bay for a. house for them to live in. She purchased clothes for the wedding, but lie postponed the marriage from time to time. At Easter 1927, plaintiff gave up the money that she was receiving from her former husband at Morris’s request. In October last she found he was going with, another woman. They made it up,again and lie promised to marry her the following week. Some months later when she went to see him he thumped her and gave her black eyes, and said be would “do two years” for her. Ho was still friendly with the other woman.

Tlio essential facts of the evidence wero corrotxirated by a young woman who had lived with tho plaintiff, and by her daughter.

L.V.A. ANNUAL MEETING. WELLINGTON, September 13. . The annual meeting of the United New Zealand Licensed Victuallers’ Association was bold to-day. The following were elected—President, Air James McParlaml (Wellington); Vice-Presi-dents, Messrs P. Brodic (Auckland), P. J. Griffin (Wellington); Executive, Messrs A. Beban (West Coast, South Island), J. C. Griffin (Auckland), R. Mnrchall (South Canterbury), M. O’Brien (Southland), J. Young (Otago), R. Wash (Canterbury), L. Heath (Hawke’s Bay), P. C. Finlayson (Taranaki), AY. Devine (Palmerston North), A. AAL Fitzgibbons (Nelson) T. Coltman (AVcllington), B. Aislabio • (Gisborne).

PORT NAPIER’S DAIRY CARGO AUCKLAND, Sept. 13. The work of discharging the cargo of the Port Napier was stopped owing to a disagreement over a demand by the AVatesiders for extra, pay for handling the cargo damaged by the fire. COMPANY’S DIVIDENDS. AUCKLAND, 'Sept. 14. The Pukimiro Collieries Company have had another successful year, the net profit being £35,000. A dividend of 35 per cent, 'is declared. The AVaihi dividend of one shilling per share is payable on Ist. November.

POLITICAL. WAIAIATE, Sept. 14. Mr F. R. Cooke, of Christchurch, has been selected as the official Labour candidate to contest the Waitaki seat. NEW BOXING ASSOCIATION. AVAIAIATE, Sept. 14. A strongly supported Amateur Boxing Association lias been formed in AVaimate.