DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 February 1930, Page 5

DOMINION ITEMS.

PRISONER ESCAPES

B Telegraph— Press Assn., Copyright

HAMILTON, Feb. 19

A sensational escape from custody last night was made by Herbert Handley, a prisoner being brought from Wellington to Auckland on a charge of false pretences. When the. Daylight Limited was passing slowly over Ngaruawahia. Bridge, Handley dashed from his, seat and alighted from the train in perfect safety. The prisoner is still at liberty. LORRY DRIVER. HURT. CHRISTCHURCH, February 18. Richard McGrath .aged 23, was seriously injured this afternoon when a lorry which he was driving on Mount Pleasant Road got out of control rushed up a bank, and capsized, throwing him out on the road. Apparently the wheels skidded when the brakes were applied. McGrath suffered head injuries. Ilis condition to-night was reported very serious. SAILING RACE. DUNEDIN. February 18. The first Cornwall Cup contest was sailed to-day over a seven and a-half mile course. Six started: Auckland, Mamikau, Wellington, Lyttelton, Christchurch and Otago., The result was :—Auckland 1, Manukau 2, Lyttelton 3, Christchurch 4, Wellington 5, Otagob. The winner crossed the line: 12 seconds ahead of the Manukau boat. | The race was sailed in a full sail breeze. BREACH OF PROMISE. WELLINGTON, 'February 18. Jessie Hansen, boardinghouse proprietress, was successful in a breach of promise action against James Magyar Oltowav, a City Council employee. His Honour awarding £25, remarking that plaintiff was only entitled to relief for injury to her feelings. The engagement arose from an advertisement by the defendant, last May. A MEAN THEFT. BLENHEIM, Feb. 19. “A rather mean theft,” was Sergeant Peterson’s description of an offence by Ernest Robert Murray, who pleaded guilty to stealing £7 from Westley John Cowan, at Spring Creek. Murray was a ward of the State and stole money from his room mate. The Magistrate sentenced accused to two years’ reformative treatment. A MAX INJURED. CHRISTCHURCH, Feb. 19. Richard McGrath, 23, a lorry driver, received serious head, injuries yesterday through a delude capsizing over a bank ,at Alt. Pleasant. .i-His, condition is critical. VALUELESS CHEQUES,’ PALMERSTON N., Feb. 19. At the Police Court, S. G. R'ailton, of Taihape, pleaded guilty to obtaining ten pounds at Taihape by a valueless cheque, five pounds at Palmerston North by a similar method. and also attempting to obtain three pounds at Levin, representing himself as Robert King. In sentencing accused to three months, the sentences to be concurrent ,the Magistrate stated comment had 'been made in the Supreme Court at the prevalence of this type of offence. In the Magistrate's opinion the crime would be only stimulated if the accused were simply convicted and ordered to come up for sentence when called upon.

TR ANSP*OR T CONFER ENCE. WELLINGTON, Feb. 19. Feb. 25th. has been fixed as the date for the Conference convened 1 the Minister of Transport (Hon W. Voitch) to compile a model set of motor regulations designed to ensure practical observance. The Conference, wnich will be held in Wellington will cover all phases of regulations dealiiv with motor traffic, and will be attended by representatives of motor interests, logal authorities, automobile clubs, Police Department and Transport Department.

I.NQUEST VERDICT

DUNEDIN, February 19.

An inquest was concluded this morning on William W. Stossart, a young man employed as a cadet at the medical school, who died on January 30th. The evidence showed he had access to the school at all times and at his home were 'found an hypodermic svringe, which was missed from the school, morphine tablets, and morphine in solution. A verdict was returned that death was due to an over dose of morphine accidently self-administered. CONSTABLE’S DEATH. ASHBURTON, Feb. 19. Constable Brown died yesterday evening. WOOL SALES. WELLINGTON, Feb. 19. ,T. B. Moodie, Chairman of the Wellington Wool brokers’ Association announces as follows:—As none of the oversea buyers ha,ve attended Wellington for the purpose of valuing the wool stacked for the February sale, it is almost a certainty that the sale will lie postponed. WOOL SALE STOPPAGE. CHRISTCHURCH, FW). 19. You see we are still here, remark -