DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 May 1929, Page 5

DOMINION ITEMS.

A FIRE. (By Telegraph—Press Association). NAP PER, May 29. A six roomed house and furniture was totally destroyed at Taradale yesterday. it was the property of a dairyman named Yeoman. The cause is iiot known. OILFIELD REPORT. GISBORNE, May 29. Taranaki oil reports Gisborne No 2 well was drilled to 3122 feet in sandy limestone increasing pressure of inI flammable gas. Salt water is now 700 gallons per hour. In view of the above end expected approach to Idle first objective, the field staff is making a complete review of the position and the problem involved before drilling further. THEFT FROM SHIP. WELLINGTON, May 29. AYm. Frank D own, 20, John George Blundell, 19 < Ernest Albert Bannister, 19, seamen on the Cambridge, when pulling a case of fruit up from t]ic hold, let it drop out of the sling and smash last night. This attracted the officer’s attention and the three were convicted and fined £2 each for theft. They were also ordered to pay for the ease of fruit. DRIVER'S LICENSE CANCELLED. AUCKLAND, May 29. Farrington F. L. Power, a young man, was convicted'and ordered to pay costs and had his license cancelled for five years Cor driving a ear in Remuera Head on April ii/uFaCa speed danger.s to tiie public. -Magistrate Cutten i v.marked that there was only one’way to deal with a case of this kind, as he had cancelled Power’s license for a year on a previous occasion. PIE-CART FATALITY. WELLINGTON, May 29. After three remands, Eric Matthews, a naval petty officer, was charged with murdering John Stevens, on Aiay Bth. Evidence was given by W. Lynch and George AA'. Orme (proprietor of the coffee stall) on lines of evidence at the inquest. Detective Kearney said he had endeavoured in vain to.’discover the witness who.. was alleged to have been arguing with the deceased in the piecart. • ’ • Accused made a statement to the police, wherein he said lie had gone to the stall intoxicated, and struck the deceased, who was using offensive language. He remembered nothing more until he returned to the ship. Accuse was committed for trial. >'•! ■: ■ 1 1 }’ a $ j GAOL' ESCAPEE! GETS TWO YEARS. WELLINGTON, May 29. Oswald Harris, who escaped from AVi Tako prison on the morning of May 22nd. and who was convicted of a similar charge in 1919, was given two years hand' labor—by Mr Page S.M., to be served at the end of liis present term. Mr Pago remarked that the prisoners were given privilege on the farms that they , did: not get v. in', some countries, and if they endeavour to escape, the Court must view the matter as a grave crime.

INQUEST VERDICT. PATE A, Aiay 29

A verdict of accidental death, as the result of deceased having been struck on the head by a railway engine cowcatcher was given at an inquest to-day concerning the death of William Kilgour, a labourer, single, aged 59 in Patea railway yards on Monday evening. The jury added that no blame was attachable to anyone. The accident occurred in darkness at 6.30, as a goods train from tne north was traversing a level crossing used, about 100yds from the station platform, as the eij.tra.nce to the railway yards. The; evidence showed that the train was travelling slowly and was well lighted, but deceased was not noticed from the engine. It is presumed he had stumbled and been stunned when crossing the line to go to a hut, .and was lying beside the rails when the train passed.