DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 October 1928, Page 5

DOMINION ITEMS.

ALPINIST FROM ENGLAND. (By Telegraph—Press Association). WELLINGTON, October 12. Among the passengers by the Ruabine - from England to-day was Mr H. E. /. Porter, a well-known member of the Alpine Club. Mr Porter, who spent the northern summer every year in the Swiss Alps, is returning to New Zealand after an absence of two years to renew his acquaintance with the Southern Alps. In former years Mr Porter lias made many notable ascents, including Mount Cook, Mount Tasman, and other well-known peaks in that region. This summer he hopes to climb five peaks which he has not previously attempted, including Mount Douglas and Mount Dainpier. The former was climbed about 39 years ago by the Rev Canon Newton and Aleck Graham, who made their ascent from the Fox Glacier. Mount Douglas has not yet been climbed from the Tasman Glacier side, which presents the most difficult ascent. Mount Dumpier has been climbed but once—by Miss Freda du Fa nr and Peter Graham. They made the ascent in pre-war days. Mr Porter confesses to a great love for the Mount Cook region, which he considers a magnificent asset to the Dominion, embracing some of'the finest. Alpine scenery and climbing in the world. Mr Porter and his wife, who is a daughter of Mr and Mrs J. M. [Barker, of “Waihi,” Woodbury, South Canterbury, travelled out with the latter from England.

DOCTOR’S DEATH. CHRISTCHURCH, Oct. 151 Obituary—Dr Joseph John Brownlie, aged 76, a well-known medical .practitioner. ' f ‘ MRS T. E. TAYLOR RETIRES, r- CHRISTCHURCH Oct. 15. Owing to her time being fully occupied with work among women and young people of the Dominion; in the capacity of Dominion President of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union, Mrs T. E. Taylor (United Party candidate for Christchurch North seat), has decided to retire from the contest. NEW CHURCH OPENED. • WHA'NGAREI, Oct. 15. . A very handsome Catholic Church, with seating accommodation for 700, was blessed and opened yesterday hv His Bishop Cleary, . in the presence of a large number of people. The building was packed to overflowing in the morning when mass was celebrated. The parish priest announced that the church had cost approximately £7,900 towards which £3,350 had been raised.

TWu HOUSES BURNT. r v " WAIRO, Oct. 15. A fire last night totally destroyed the house and contents belonging to Niri Whaanga, the well-known sheep farmer at Null aka. , Nothing was saved and the insurances are unavailable, but the owner was a heavy loser, many priceless Maori relics being destroyed. It is believed the cause of the* outbreak is that the maid left the electric iron on. R. Joblin’s residence at Waiati was destroyed, also the contents. Nothing «g/as saved. The whole family were at neighbours at the time. The insurgm'ces are £750 on the house and £520 contents. -■ '• ' AN ARREST. TE AWAMUTU, Oct. 15. A smart arrest was affected' yesterday by the Te Awamutu police. Detective White ■ (Hamilton) received word during the morning that two shops at Oliaupo were burgled during the night, and small sums of money taken.

Constaibles Forsyth and Hooker investigated and the only clue obtainable, was a peculiarly shaped boot Keel mark in the garden, alongside one shop. It was decided to investigate the movements of one, Rav Morris, who they found was an inmate of the Waikato Hospital. His hoots made similar marks to those found. He was arrested and charged with burglary, and will be charged to-day at Hamilton. Evidence will show that accused borrowed a bicycle and cycled to Ohaupo during the night and returned. The police will apply for a remand until Wednesday.

MOTOR CYCLE FATALITY. \ THAMES, October 15

Keith Barnett Locektt, aged 23, an employee of the Tublic Works Department,' at Paeroa, was instantly killed when he was thrown from a motor cycle while riding along the main road on Saturday evening. He .was accompanied by another lad, E. ros , who sustained concussion. The accident occurred near HikuTaia at 6 p.m. A party of footballers returning to Thames found Frost wandering on the road in a doped condition. Lockett was found lying dead with a crushed skull. Frost was brought to the Thames Hospital and is still unconscious. t is thought the hack tyro oi the cycle burst, causing the accident. DISTANCE RADIO. GISBORNE, October 15. Pittsburgh radio station ICDKA yesterday conducted the second of its broadcasts to members of Commandei Bvrd’s Antarctic expedition, all messages being received with, exeeptiona elartiy. Subsequently at the request of the announcer, Robert Patty borne amateur) communicated with the City of New York, base ship of the expedition, and ascertained i® programme was successfully received. The vessel advised her position then was 1420 miles south of Marquesas.