DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 January 1929, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS.

DEEP-SEA FISHING. SOME RECENT CATCHES. (By Telegraph—Press Association). AUCKLAND, Jan. 5. While out from the deep-sea angling camp, Surgeon Commander A. H. Joy, of H.M.S. Diomede, caught a mako shark of 2561 b. and kingfish weighing !91b. and 521 b. respectively. He also landed a large blue shark off Cape Brett. Mr E. C. Blonifield, of Auckland, out from his homestead at Waipmi Bay, Rawhiti caught a mako shark, after a very strenuous battle, weighing 43011>. This monster apparently about a month ago had had a battle royal with a swordfish, as a swordfish spear was found embedded just behind his gills. Mrs Mary Cox Mann, of Ohio, out from Russell, captured a mako weighing 2621 b. DOGGED BY ILL-FORTUNE. STRATFORD, January 5. The motor crash on the Rimutakn Hills, by which Miss Esther Walker was killed through a car driven by her brother, Mr T. H. Walker, of Hawera, crashing over a bank, has brought to light a story of family ill-luck. Misfortune has dogged the family during the past three years, the present natality being the third untoward death during that time.

The first, a daughter, died and then a son was lost, and anxiety was also suffered on account of a recent fire in the West Coast Refrigerating Company’s store at Hawera, where a member of the family had a large store of bacon. Miss Esther Walker was well known in Hawera, where she followed the occupation of a dressmaker. Severn years ago she commenced business on her own account in Woodville. She had joined the motoring party at Woodville on a holiday tour on the day oif her death. SOLICITOR ARRESTED. ALLEGED THEFT OF £986. CHRISTCHURCH, January 7. John Black Batchelor, the solicitor who disappeared on August 7. has been arrested in Melbourne on a warrant for the alleged theft of £986 tho property of L .P. Voice. CREW’S XMAS DINNER. KOMATA HELD UR. WELLINGTON, January 7. The failure of the crew and Chief Steward of the Union Company’s Kn mata to agree to what constitutes suitable dinner for Xmas Day, is out of the apparent reasons for the vesse having been laid up since ’Xmas; although the refusal of the crew to man the ship after the holidays was really the culmination of a long standing trouble. The deck hands and engine room staff have been paid off; and the offi cers, stewards and cooks are still on duty HARBOUR TDiGF.DY NAPIER, Jan. 7. A tragic drowning occurred at Port Ahuriri early this afternoon, when a nine-year-old bov, Alfred Casev, while playing with companions on the wharf at the entrance to the inner harboui slipped into the tide and was s’-ept away before help could be obtained. Dragging operations were continued till late to-night, but without success. The boy had been sent by his niothei with his father’s lunch. This he delivered, and then was evidently attraeted by two companions fishing from the wharf. No clear account is given of bow the mishap ocuuued. DIED FROM GUNSHOT. WANGANUI, Jan. 7. While examining a gun at his home yesterday afternoon, Francis Fromont. aged 20, was accidentally shot in the shoulder. He was sent to the hospital and died last night. He was employed by the City Council.