DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 February 1929, Page 5

DOMINION ITEMS.

COAL MINE SWAMPED. (By Telegraph—Press Association). WHANGAREI, February 4. A report I'rom Mikurnngi states i) very serious development occurred at tlie- Mikurnngi Coal Company’s mine following last week’s inrush of water, which is now said to have obtained a height of HO feet, submerging machinery valued at CIO,OOO. which is likely inay become a total loss. Apparently an underground stream oil considerable volume lias broken through and fears are expressed it may be rendered permanently unworkable. BODY FOI'XD IN HI VEIL GISBORNE, Feb. 4. Gathering pipis this morning in the Haruharu River. Maoris found the hodv of Miss Emily Frank, who was missed from her home on the riverbank in the early hours of the morning. after a bad night. Deceased was subject to delusions and had been under treatment. MOTOR AND CYCLE COLLIDE. MOTOR DRIVER DIFS. AUCKLAND. Feb. 4. The collision of a motor cycle and a motor car last evening resulted in Adren Povntcr, aged I6V, receiving severe head injuries, which was followed by death in the hospital two hours later. Oliver Godfrey, driver of the motor cycle, sustained injuries to his head and body. Povntcr was an engineer’s apprentice. fishing party fatality. AUCKLAND. Feb. 4. ’■ A fishing party on leaving Munukau Heads on their return to Oneliunga on Saturday evening missed one of their number. Richard Madden. A search resulted fn the finding of his body in the sea. It is unknown how .the fatality .occurred. Madden was a widower, aged about sixty. A FIRE. AUCKLAND, Feb. 4, A fire at 10 p.m. on Sunday destroyed a seven roomed house at 'Birkenhead, the sole occupant being .Frank Hoolihan, father in law of the owner, Percy Johnson. Hoolihan was awakened by the roar of the, flames, and had barely time to escape. The house was insured for £BSO and the furniture for £2OO. INQUEST ON INFANT’S BODIES. DUNEDIN, February 4. The inquest on the bodies oi the two infants found in a storm water drain at Anderson’s Bay on February Ist was opened and adjourned this morning. Detective Jervey evidenced that both bodies were tied together with a string with a window sash weight attached and partly wrapped in brown paper. The bodies were tied head to feet. The medical evidence was that the infants were still born. MOTOR CYCLIST INJURED. CHRISTCHURCH, February 4. R. \V. Jenkins, aged 23, single, was hospitalled in a serious condition, with injuries to his head. He was riding a motor cycle at Redelifls when a cyclist ran into him, causing him to fall. FREEZING TROUBLE SETTLED. CHRISTCHURCH, February 4. Conditions at Belfast freezing works to-day were normal, the slaughterman agreeing to attach nockstrings as required to the carcases. INSPECTOR LOANED TO SAMOA. WELLINGTON, February 4. The Department of External Affairs states Sub-Inspector Lander is being lent to Samoa for two months to assist with the administration of the police there. Lander leaves by the Maui Pomarc about the middled the month. A FIRE. PALMERSTON N., Feb. 4. A fire guted the grocery store ot J. Walker, Main Street east. The crockery section adjoining was damaged only by smoko and water. The building was insured for £IOOO and stock for £2OOO. FALSE PRETENCES. PALMERSTON N., Feb. 4. On three charges of false pretences Thomas George Ward, a labourer, ol Fox ton, was sentenced to one month each to be cumulative. On *a charge, of theft of wool at Eordell. accused was remanded to appear at Wanganui. THEFT CHARGES. PALMERSTON N., Feb. 4. Pleading guilty, and electing to be dealt with summarily to various charges of theft from liis former employers, Ooldingham Beckett, Ltd.. John Berry Proud, a well known heal resident and Edward Charles "VY iiliam Cooper, appeared at the Police Court this morning. They were charged that between October 4th last and December 23rd last they stole various goods valued at £23 18s. Senior Detective Quirk stated Proud had been storeman of the firm for nine years, and Cooper a carter for five years. The former had practically charge of the store. When the police searched the respective premises they found goods to the value of £l3 18s 4d in Proud’s possession and goods to the value of £lo3s 7d in Cooper's possession. In a statement Proud said the goods were taken at various times in the last four months, while Cooper admitted his thefts extended over a period of twelve months. Cooper is

a married man and had experienced considerable family trouble through sickness. Regarding Proud, the Detective said he had nothing further to add. After hearing evidence of Proud’s character and counsel’s statement regarding Cooper’s heavy medical expenses, the Magistrate resowed his decision till Wednesday. SUPREME COURT SENTENCES. WELLINGTON, Feb. 4. Mr Justice Ostler sentenced prisoners to-dav as follows:—Charles Maxwell Copest a ke, theft as a servant at Wanganui, three years probation, and ordered to repay amount stolen, £46. Francis Charles Gomez, breaking, entering and theft at Gisborne, three charges, breaking entering and theft at Wellington, four charges, to reformative detention not exceeding five years. Robert Cyril Soutlnvood, jointly charged with Gomez, three years reformative. Stanley May Robertson, forgery and uttering at Woodville, two years joformative. n Noel John Anthony Major, (18), for indecent assault on a child, admitted to probation on score of youth and the circumstances of the case. Harry Denton, (28), for offence against a male, one year’s hard labour. OBITUARY. WELLINGTON, Feb. 4. Obituary.—Charles Haines, govern, ing Director of Haines Advertising Agency.