DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 December 1928, Page 6

DOMINION ITEMS.

THE CHIEF JUSTICE. (By Telegraph—Press Association). AUCKLAND, Dec. 26'. Sir Charles Skerrett anticipates that he will resume his seat on the Supreme Court Bench on February 1. Those who have visited him at his Lowry Bay house state that lie is remarkably well, and although his long illness, extending over many months, resulted in the amputation of both le"s, he is most optimistic regarding the future. The months of pain and confinement have not robbed Sir Charles Skerrett of his interest in affairs'generally, and when visited the. other day he was making plans for the work of the new year. MAILS DESTROYED. FIRE BREAKS OUT IN RAILWAY WAGGON. PALMERSTON N., Dec. 26. Twelve hampers of South Island mail consigned to Wanganui and Taranaki consisting of parcels and papers, were destroyed by fire in a railway waggon at the Koputaroa railway station on Monday afternoon. The fire broke out as a mixed train was pulling into Die station. A laige portion of the contents of the parcels and receptacles in the van were damaged by fire or water. ANXIETY ALLAYED. YACHT REPORTS WHEREABOUTS.

AUCKLAND, Dec. 26. Considerable . anxiety was felt in Auckland yesterday and this morning concerning the whereabouts of the yacht Wairiki, which left Auckland on Saturday afternoon as a competitor in the annual ocean race to Tanrangn. The yacht and her crew of five recalled Coromandel at 10 o’clock this morning safe and sound. When off Capo Colville about 2.30 a.,m., on Sunday, a shroud broke and the vessel was turned round on another track, when immediately the backstay also gave way. In spite of the ciipplcd condition of the yacht, the crew managed to make Te Kouma on Sunday and there the vessel remained for two days. This morning, having effected repairs and considering that relative? of those on board would bo alainicd, the yacht was sailed to Coromandel whence news of her safety was telephoned to Auckland.

MOTOR-SHIP BREAKS DOWN. TOWED SAFELY TO PORT. "WELLINGTON. Dec. 26. The small motor-ship Kotiti, owned by the Kotiti Shipping Company broke her tail shaft in Pelorus Sound on Sunday, and had to be towed to Wellington for repairs. Fortunately the misliap occurred as she was about to leave Nikau Bay, and she was able to anchor in safety. The coastal steamer John, which had been loading at Picton was dispatched to her assistance and after the Kotiti’s propellor shaft had been made fast with a steel hawser, she was taken in tow for W ellington. Fine weather and smooth seas were experienced while crossing. Cook Strait, and the two ships arrived at Wellington at 10.30 a.m. yesterday without incident. AUCKLAND’S NEW RECORD. AUCKLAND, Dec. 26. Eclipsing the high figures of 1926 the city building statistics for the calendar year, now officially closed, constitute a .record in value. A total of £1.614.104 is represented in the value of permits against £1.377,663 in 192/ and £1,607,194 in 1026. For the creation of the new record the commencement of work on the new rail wav station contract, involving £328,600, is largely responsible. Nevertheless that sum apart, the returns indicate the maintenance of the solid; all round progress which is gradually transforming the face of the city as new and modern biddings climbing to 102 ft, the limit, replace the. less pretentious and loss commodious wooden structure of a former generation. ; The auction presented the usual colourful scene. Tradition permits that every year on the day after Christmas, farm workers dissatisfied with their jobs may try their luck in the market.

SHUNTER’S DEATH. WELLINGTON, December 27. A verdict of accidental death with no blame attachable to anyone was returned in connection with the death of Shunter McCallum, at Thorndon. WHARF FATALITY. WELLINGTON, December 27. ' At the inquest on Charles Arthur Rodman, a vercjict was to-day returned of accidental death. MOTOR CYCLE FATALITY. CHRISTCHURCH, Dec. 27. A verdict of accidental death was returned by Coroner Young S.M. at the inquest to-day into the death of the motor cyclist, Charles Braddock, who was killed on the North Road yesterday. The Coroner that the drivers of the truck and motor car into which Braddock craslrd had exercised all possible, care and' skill, and were in no way to blame. WHANGARFT, December 28. ' The weather continues wet, though warm.