DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 January 1929, Page 6

DOMINION ITEMS.

Ry Telegraph—Press Assn., Copyright

FLOATING PUMICE.

SUI UMAR INE 1)1 STURR AN CE.

AUCKLAND, January 21

Hundreds of square miles of pumice from an inch to six inches thick, floating on the surface of the ocean between Samoa and tbe Equator, has been seen recently. Commenting on this Air Andrew Thomson, director oi the observatory at Apia, who has seen some of tbe pumice, stated it was indicative of a huge submarine distuibance. Tbe pumice was not thick enough to affect shipping. Air Thomson said somewhere in the ocean there was another Falcon Island —a volcanic island in the Pacific—except that in this ease the island had not appeared above tbe surface' of the sea. Such wide areas of floating pumice were most unusual and must have been caused by a huge disturbance. MORE AMBERGRIS. AUCKLAND FISHERAIAN’S LUCK. AUCKLAND, January 21. While fishing with a party near the spit on tbe West Const bench on Saturday. Air Subritzkv found another piece of ambergris. It weighs 240 z. It was picked up within a mile of the place where Mr Subritzkv 'found tbe large piece on January 19th. Experts value the large piece, which weighed 2721 b, at £9OOO. It lias been insured for £SOOO. DUNEDIN STORAL DUNEDIN, Jan. 22. A heavy thunderstorm, acconi-p.-mi.'d by vivid lightning, torrentia’ r . in iiu 1 irn'i. swept over tbe city this 'eon. 'Jho rainfall for out' hour was nearly half'an 'inch. No damage lias been reported. AN ACCIDENT.

WELLINGTON, Jan. 21

Four Wanganui residents were iujurocl li'.oiv or less seriously in collision which occurred in tlio Xgahuuranga Gorge this atternoon. The aeeident occurred just after .4.30 • A Sedan ear, containing Mr S. Dustin, warehouseman. Wanganui, Mrs K. Dustin, his wife, and Mr G. Walton, plasterer, of Barrick Street, Wnngnnui, who was also accompanied by hi* wife, were being driven by Colin Denis of Palmerston North, down the gotge into the city : , when it came into collision with a motor lorry going in the opposite direction at a cornel’. Ihe pas-ouger car was badiv smashed. Mrs Dustin received severe lacerated wounds on the temple, injury to the chest, wound on the left hand, concussion and shock. Mr Dustin had n wound on the temple, compound fracture of the third finger of the lolt hand, concussion and shock. Mr -1. Walton received a wound on the fore liond and concussion, and Mrs Walton is suffering from shock. DIVING ACCIDENT. AUCKLAND, January 21. A Ponsonby resident, W. Mndsun, aged thirty, when diving from a moored punt at Devonport yesterday, struck the bottom with his head, sustaining an injury to his spine, which paralysed his legs and one arm. He was carried by other bathers to the shore and removed to hospital. His condition to-day had improved.