DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 November 1928, Page 6

DOMINION ITEMS.

A GANG OF BOYS

REMARKABLE SERIES OF DEPREDATIONS.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, Nov. 25.

The sequal to an amazing series ot depredations by a gang of boys operating in the city and suburbs during the past month or two was heard in the Children’s Court yesterday. Twentylive boys were charged with breaking, entering and theft, conversion ol motor-cars, wilful breaking of street lamps and petty thefts. No fewer than forty-nine charges were preferred against one boy, aged thirteen, who was placed under the care of the Cliiet Well are Superintendent. A boy of fourteen, who admitted thirty-three charges of theft, was similarly dealt with. A boy of fifteen, who pleaded guilty to twenty-two thefts and conversion charges, was sent to the Borstal Institute for three years. Two other boys were sentenced to similar terms.

JUMPED INTO RIVER TO ESCAPE

POLICE.

MAORI DROWNED AT IIELENSVILLE.

AUCKLAND, November 2-1. A Maori, Nnuca Walia Wai Pangaui,

wh<> escaped from the mental hospital on. Thursday, was observed sitting on the wharf at llelensville by Constable Hunt, who asked the Maori to go to tiie police station with him. The Maori jumped'up and dived into the river. The constable got into a punt, but before be could reach the Maori he disappeared. The body was discovered veste rd a v afternoon.

STOREROOM BURNED

FIRE AT FREEZING WORKS

TIMARU, November 25

'l’lic Timaru Eire Brigade, under Superintendent P. Campbell, effected a good save at the New Zealand Refrigerating Company’s works at Smithfield shortly alter five o’clock on Saturday evening. The fire broke out in a storeroom containing a quantity of machinery. It was practically gutted, and about thirty feet of.an adjoining drying shed width lortunately was practically empty was also damaged. A stack of coal containing about one thousand tons also caught alight, hut only a portion of it was destroyed, prompt work by the brigade suppressing the outbreak.

It is estimated that between £IOO ,nd £SOO worth of 'lamago was done.

GIG CAPSIZES

OLD COUPLE INJURED

INVERCARGILL, November 21

An accident in which two elderly people were concerned occurred this afternoon. A gig which Mr and Airs Middleton, of Otatara, wore driving was turning a corner when it capsized, apparently as a result of one of the wheels mounting the traffic dome, and the occupants were (brown out. Airs Middleton, who is 75 years of age, sustained an injury to an arm. a cub on the forehead, several bruises, and was severely shaken. She was taken into the Southland Hospital for treatment Mr Aliddleton was not injured sufficiently to necessitate his attention at the hospital.

STOLEN PACK.AGE RETURNED

AUCKLAND, November 27

A package containing personal papers which were stolen ifrom him by tbe armed robbers, was returned to Air S. Henderson in tbe post to-day.

Tbe papers were made into a parcel, and were posted in the city. Ibe wrapping of the parcel is in tlie hands of the police. Only one word was written in the address on the package, the. remainder being typed.

Up to a late hour, the police had not made any arrest.

MAORI ROBS HINDU

THREE ATONTHS’ LMi’RLSOX-

AT KNT

WELLINGTON, Nov. 26

Joilii Wilson, a. .Maori, aged fortyone, was charged with stealing ninetytwo '.bottles, valued at eleven shillings and sixpence from one Hindu and selling them to other Hindus, and with assaulting a- Hindu when detected 1 taking the bottles. Me was sentenced to three months on the theft charge and one month on the assault, sentences to be concurrent.

BYRD’S PLANS

DUNEDIN, Nov. 26

Commander Byrd, ot the Antarctic Expedition, arrived here to-day. After a- conference with the officers to-nigiit it, was decided that a start shoulcTbo mndo on Friday. The City of New York will leave with sufficient men. equipment and ’planes to start flying this year. The Eleanor Bolling will follow as soon asi possible, and return for the remainder of the men, equipment and supplies. The ‘City of New York will take suflicient of everything to keep twenty-five men fed and employed through the winter, and if the Eleanor Rolling gets through the second time another fifteen men can be added to tlie winter personnel.

OBITUARY

SISTER R. A. SANDERSON

HAMILTON, Nov. 26

'fhe death has occurred of Sister 11 A. Sanderson, after five years’ illness.