DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 January 1929, Page 6

DOMINION ITEMS.

AVOOL SALES. (By Telegraph—Press Association). NAPIER, Jan. 18. The third Napier wool sale opened this morning with a full bench of buyers. The catalogue is 30.000 bales. Up .to lunch the market was firm at prices on recent lines. English and French buyers operated for better class of wools and Continental and Now Zealand mills bought the poorer wools. Prices generally were as follows: Crossbreds 13d to 20d, half-brals 19d to 20I<1, hoggets 16d to 21s, pieces lid to 19cl, bellies 9d to 12id, lambs 16d to 2 Id. RIVAL ROUTES. MINISTERS TO INSPECT. WELLINGTON, January 17. Engineers’ surveys having been completed along the rival routes of the AVairoa-Gisborne section of the east coast,railway, the Government has to come to a decision whether the inland hr the coastal route shall be followed. It is understood that there is considerable difference in cost in favour of th constfil alternative, but as settlement and other considerations are of imnuance Cabinet; which discussed the matter to-day, decided that both, routes .should be inspected hy. tlie Hon. E., A. Ransom, Minister of Public Works, the Hon. ,0. W. Forbes, Almister of Lands, arid -Mr l<\ W. Furkert, Uiuler-Secre-tarv and Engineer-in-Cbief of the Public "Works Department, at an early date. SIR NGATA’S PROPOSALS. GISBORNE, Jan. 18. Sir Apirana Ngatn, in a speech at Waiomatatina, concerning the policy lie proposed to follow in his " e " capacity as Native -Minister, suggested that when lie makes tours of the Rlands: attached, to Now Zealand, a party of influential Maoris should accompany him. Sir Ngata pointed out ..that his tour might include Samoa, and that the association of Maoris with measures proposed by tlie New Zealaiu Government might have a good effect upon the restless portions of tlie Polynesian race. METHODIST MINISTER AND WIFE INJURED. ; ; ! BLENHEIM. Jan. / 17. The Rev. W. Fordyee, Methodist minister at Tuamarimt, and his wife, met with an accident at the Spring Creek railway crossing to-day. A ear driven by Air Fordyee was struck hy a train; and hurled a distance of ten ■yards. The occiil-auts " l ere thrown out. Neither was seriously injured. Air Fordyee was bruised about the. bodyand Mrs Fortlyce suffered from shock. The car was considerably damaged. an oaaiaru collision. OAMARU. .Tail. 17. T. E. West, of Tim a mi, aged twentyone, while driving a new Chrysler Plymouth sedan, apparently failed to hear warning bells or observe the crossing keeper’s warning flag at the Thames Street level crossing, with the result that a train coming in from the country struck the car near the rear wheel, throwing it across the street. The driver, though cut about the head by flying glass, fortunately escaped serious injury. It is stated that the engnie T driver sounded the whistle twice before reaching the crossing. - CHEAfICALS CAUSE FIRE. INCIDENT ON FERRY STEAMER. ,CHRISTCHURCH, January IS. AYlien some cases of bulk chemicals were being loaded into the ferry steamer Waliine yesterday afternoon, one oi the cases started to emit smoke. In response to an alarm the Fire Brigade arrived, on the wharf in under two minutes. Tlie outbreak had been dealt with, however, by members of the crew using the ship's tire-hose, and - the, services ;of the brigade were not required. No damage was done, except in the loss of the case of chemicals, containing, among other things, hydrochoric acid and ether. GIRL KILLED ON CYCLE. WELLINGTON, January 18’. . About 5 p.m. to-day, Aliss Laura Spratt, aged 22, of 10 Riddlers Crescent,;' was killed instantaneously, through a bicycle, on which she was double-banking with' her brother, lining struck by a service car going Iroin Alasterton to Wellington, and driven "by Evan. Smith. . Both riders were thrown a considerable distance.' Deceased received terrible injuries. Her brother escaped with a few bruises. , ALLEGED THEFT. DUNEDIN, Jan. 18. A young man, whose name was suppressed in the meantime, was charged at the City Police Court to-day, before Mr Bundle, S.M., with fraudulently, stating that- lie had posted a postal packet containing postal notes and stamps, to tlie value 01. 13s, at the Clinton Post Office on October 13th, whereas lie did not do so. ' Air O. J. L. White, who appeared for accused, said lie was not conversant with the facts, and asked for an adjournment. “He made a voluntary statement, and surrendered himself to the Post and Telegraph Department,” stated •Detective Sergeant NuttaJJ. Adjournment till Monday was granted!