DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 August 1929, Page 6

DOMINION ITEMS.

VOCALIST’S DEATH. AFTER ENCORE ITEM. * ( , (By Telegraph—Press Association). AUCKLAND, August 6. Robert H. Cough, married, aged 50, collapsed and died alter singing an encore item at a concert given to-night by St. Mark’s Church Choir, to the Mission to Seamen. Gough took a part in the choir item earlier in the evening, and later sang a' solo. The audience demanded ,an en.core,, and Gough responded, but at the conclusion, after leaving the platform, he staggered and collapsed, dying almost immediately. Members of the audience rushed to his assistance. St. JoTfn’s Ambulance was summoned, but on arrival at the jliospital the doctor could only pronounce life extinct. it is understood that Gough had been receiving medical attention lor several months past. HOSPITAL CONTROL. NATIONALISATION URGED. NEW PLYMOUTH, August 6. “ That it is essential that the method of providing funds to maintain public hospitals should be reconsidered, and that the Government be urged to'take the necessary steps .to have the matter thoroughly investigated ” was a resolution carried at the Conference of local bodies contributing to the. Taranaki Hospital Board. Several delegates urged the nationalisation of hospitals, and the provision of funds from th.e consolidated fund. LORRY CATCHES FIRE. DRIVER’S NARROW ESCAPE.' HAM LUTON, Aug. G. A fire totally destroyed a motor lorry, owned and driven by It. B. McLaren ,of Auckland, on the main south road at Horoniu this afternoon. McLaren, a contractor, was carrying a load of benzine from Auckland to Hamilton, when the vehicle ran into loose sand and went over a small banbursting into flames. The driver rolled out into a creekway, and was extricated by people in the vicinity. Tongues of flame leapt from the burning lorry, and all the motor spirit was destroyed, tne lorry being a total wreck. FRENCH CRUISER LEAVES AUCKLAND. AUCKLAND, Aug. 6. The French cruiser Tourville sailed for Wellington at 7.20 o’clock to-might. . An At Home was held on the ship this afternoon, when 500 guests .were present. Enthusiastic Scenes - were wit-. liessed as the‘"cruiser .drew-, out' from the wharf. ' MYSTERIOUS OUTBREAKS. ■I ..... BLENHEIM, . Aug. 6. The eight-roomed house of Alfred [tore, at Wairau has been destroyed by fire. No fire-fighting equipment was available, and the flames made a clean sweep. Its origin is unknown. The house was insured for £450, and the furniture and effects for £150; in the Northern Office. A four-roomed cottage, owned l>v the Atkinson Estate, which was the scene of an outbreak on July 24th. was discovered again to be on fire, and was badly gutted. There are strong indications of incendiarism.

CITY STABLES AFIRE. CHRISTCHURCH, Aug. 6. Another fire occurred in the city toi night. ' At 8 o’clock the Brigade was called to the stables of F. Trjuscott, saddler, at the corner of Lichfield and Durham Streos. The .cause of the fire is unexplained but there are no suspicious circumstances yet brought to light. ■ Little damage was done, as the brigade was on the scene before the fire gathered strength. FOUND DEAD IN OUTHOUSE. INVERCARGILL, Aug. 6. At 8.30 this evening Michael Glynn, a married, man, between 40 and 50 years of age, was found dead in an outhouse at his residence, Herbert St., Gladstone. The' body was removed to the morgue. An inquest will be held. DEATH FROM BURNS. CHRISTCHURCH, Aug. 7. A young man, Frank Lucas, of Hanmer Springs, died in the hospital as a result of burns received whe.n his camp caught fire at Montrose St. POSTAL BOXES ROBBED. NEW PLYMOUTH, Aug. 5. Eight postal boxes in New Plymouth streets have been broken open and their contents removed. The discovery was made tnis morning. It is believed that the robbery occurred late on Sunday night. The boxes concerned were last cleared about mid-day on Saturday. DEATH OF MAORI KING’S MOTHER HAMILTON, Aug. 5. Marie Mahuta, widow of the Maori king, Mahuta, and the mother of Rata, the present Maori king, died on Sunday night. A large tangi is in preparation.