DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 January 1929, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS.

THE SOUTH ISLAND. GOVERNMENT'S INTENTIONS. (By Telegraph—Press Association). CHRIiSTCHUR.OH, Jan. 17. In an interview, Hon. Taverner, .Minister in charge of Publicity, promised that tiie South Island would got more attention. He said it was the Government's intention to consider the re-estaiblishmeiiL of the Bluii-Mei-boiiiT.e service., which would enable tourists to start in the North and continue through the South Island returning direct to Australia, and viceversa, tourists would start in the South cud and leave from Auckland. The Minister said there was an increasing number of visitors from overseas, and it was imperative that as many as possible should visit the South Island. He didn’t wish to bring up any question of inter-island rivalry. It was simply a matter of common good to the whole Dominion. MASSEY COLLEGE. PALMERSTON X., Jan. 17. At a meeting of the Council ol the Massey Agricultural College, Sir A• Fowlds was re-elected Chairman for the ensuing year and Mr P. Levi, Treasurer. The I’rincipaJ, Professor Peren, reported substantial progress had been made with improvements to .Mdlardy property, the reading scheme being practically completed. The farm manager reported the crops were doing well and stock" in good condition. It was stated Doctor F. L. C. Scrivener had made considerable progress in the proposed scheme of research in wool. The administrative block of buildings will be ready for occupation in six weeks. AN INQUEST. WELLINGTON, Jan. 17. The circumstances in which Frederick Ivan Eton, aged 27, a weii known figure in sporting circles, mitt his death by a fall from a balcony on the evening of January 10th, were revealed at the inquest to-day. Two years ago he had an attack of rheumatic fever and was subject to giddy turns. These had been less frequent lately and deceased had been advised by a doctor they would pass off in time. Meanwhile he was to avoid strenuous exercise. When deceased went out to the balcony, a companion said he took a step forward and two deep breaths and the next moment he fell to the path below. A vercict of accidental death, during an attack of giddiness to which lie was subject, was returned. INQUEST VERDICT. GISBORNE, Jan. 17. The Coroner’s verdict in the Tarawa Hill motor fatality in which two natives from Whataktane were killed oil December 29. was that the men were killed by the overturning of n truck which got out of control through the failure of the brakes. STRANDED MAMMAL. WELLINGTON, January 16. For over two hours last evening residents of Houghton Hay and many others who had arrived on the scene m motor-ears watched the efforts oi a number of Italian fishermen to send hack into deep water what appeared to be a bijby whale whi*h had been washed up on the rock's. Hauling on the monster, which was said to Im.* between Lift and ypift long, the fishermen finally managed to get it to the water. Once back the whale, if whale it was, lost no time in making tor the open sea. During the long struggle on the rocks the denizen of the deep “ blew ” frequently and with violence,' drenching the spectators with spray. It was described as having a long Peak, and was probably a porpoise whale, a variety which sometimes attains a length of 30ft. PEARCE'UNABLE TO VISIT NX WELLINGTON, January 17. Cable advice was received that Pearce is unable to accept Now Zealand's invitation to compete at the Dominion championships next month, on account of an engagement he has in Western Australia. TO SWIM THE STRAIT. "WELLINGTON, January 17. Advice has been received that R. J. "Webster, who failed in his attempt last year, intends to make another attempt to swim Cook Strait this season. CROSSING COLLISION. OAMARU, Jan. 17. T. E. West, of Tiiuaru. aged 21. while driving a new Chrysler-Ply-moutli Sedan car, apparently failed to hear the warning .bells or observe the crossing-keeper’s warning flag at Thames Street level crossing, with the result that a train coining in from the country struck the ear near the rear wheel, .{browing it across the street. The driver, though cut about the head by flying glass, fortunately escaped serious injury. It is stated the engine driver sounded the whistle twice before reaching the crossing. SWIMMER’S FATAL DIVE. GISBORNE. Jan. 17. An inquest was hold to-day on William Robert Walter Plowman, aged 22. who died in the hospital after a bathing accident. A companion gave evidence that on Sunday morning last,

Plowman dived into the sea, from tlm Diversion Wall Breakwater (part of tin* new harbour works), but look a long time coining up, and then sank amiiii. and blood came to the surface. Witness dived in after him, and found him near the bottom, quite motionless, and brought him to the .surface. Another witness said that a number of concrete pile heads had been dumped alongside the wall to strengthen it.and though there seemed no submerged obstruct ion, the deceases" might have hit his head on one of these. Dr E. E. Brown (acting medical superintendent of Cook Hospital) said the body was completely paralysed below the neck, due to a fracture of the spine. Coroner E. C. Levvey, S.M.. said the case was a very sad one. A young man in the prime of life and honPh, and a strong swimmer, had been cut off through striking a submerged object. A verdict was returned that death was due to asphyxia induced by all injury to the spinal cord, caused from a fracture of the spine, through striking some submerged object whilst diving. A WELLINGTON TRAGEDY. WELLINGTON, Jan. 17. John Mullott, a- tailor, aged 65. was found dead with his throat cut, in his room on the first floor of Hannan’s Buildings, Lanvbton Quay, at 1.30 p.m. to-dav. A blood-stained razor was lying near the body, and the door of the room was locked. Tlie last time bis wife saw him was when lie left his home in Wilson Street, Wellington South, at 5 a.m. on January 14. An inquest will be bold.