DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 31 May 1929, Page 5

DOMINION ITEMS.

A TTRE,

(By Telegraph—Press Association)

PALMERSTON N., May 31

Awakened shortly after six o’clock tliis morning by acrid smoko, Norman Mac Donald } fruiterer and confectionery found his premises in Rangitikei Street ablaze. He had just sufficient time to make a hurried exit through a window. The rear portion of the premises were gutted, but the front escaped with slight damage. The building was insured for £OOO, occupier’s stock £175, and personal effects £75.

SENTENCE REDUCED. ckRISTCHUPtCH May. 31

Magistrate Levvy reheard to-day the case of Harry William Smith, a motorist sentenced yesterday to fourteen days prison for being intoxicated in a car. He amended the sentence and imposed a fine of £25 and cancelled his license for a year, in view of circumstances outlined by counsel. AEROPLANE OVERTURNS.

GISBORNE, May 31. An aeroplane piloted by J. M. Smith, making pleasure flights • .over,, iGis.bornevjov.ertunicd whilst landing, on Waikanae Beach; The pilot /was -forced, hv the presence of spectators on the sands to bring the, plane to the beach, nearer the water than lie would jlfave chosen. As the wheels reached the ground it struck an incoming wave and the plane turned completely over. The occupants* A man. and a. child and the pildtLescified without injunes.

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WELLINGTON, May 31

I find myself unable to extend the benefit of probation to the manager of .. company who has stolen between two and three hundred pounds, said Magistrate Page sentencing Charles Augustus Porter to nine months’ imprisonment. Porter, aged 45, pleaded guilty to. nine charges of failing to account to La Gloria Gramophones Ltd. for sums amounting in all to £277. A CANVASSER'S MISTAKE. ' !i, AUCKLAND, May 31. f Lou King, a canvasser, employed by the National Academy of Music, a fir pi which , has been selling guitars .in Auckland.-in a } large.. way, was finedby MivHunt, S.M., £lO or-one month.’s imprisonment,.,with cqsts, op. a- charge of obtaining five shillings from a woman with intent to defraud, the value of the instrument sold on defered payment, beingTepresentd at five guineas. -The said lie believed women were induced to buy guitars by false pretences. We don’t allow business to he done in that manner in this country. Probably defendant exceeded bis instructions so I won’t send' linn to gaol.