DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 April 1930, Page 5

DOMINION ITEMS.

MATERXAL AIORTAI.ITY. ENQUIRY BEING SOUGHT. B Telegraph—Press Assn., Copyright. AUCKLAND, April 3. The Minister of Health (Hon. A. J. Stallworthy) in consequence of reprepresentations made Ito him as a result of recent cases of maternal mortality at. Papuroa Cottage Hospital under the Kaipara Hospital Board, has ordered a searching investigation be made immediately. IN A CYCLONE. DUNEDIN, April 3. Admiral Byrd has received radio advice that for thirty hours the City of New York has been hove to in a fierce cyclone. The Admiral’s departure is deferred for a further fortnight. Accommodation for himself, and suite is’being obtained on the Rangitiki which leaves 'Wellington for Panama on April ,24. Byrd leaves here on Monday for Christchurch, and Wellington, and expresses delight at being able in person to thank the New Zealand Government and AYellington Harbour Board for the great assistance given. After Wellington/ Byrcl visits Rotorua as* the Government s guest, later, returning ,to Dunedin/ to complete his business; He has consented to give here a moving, picture and lecture oh Arctic and Antarctic flights, in aid of.the obstetrical fund.

BACK TO GAOL AGAIN. WELLINGTON, April 1. Duncan Johnstone, who in Febrnury passed a valueless cheque for £lO 13s in a Petone shop, kept by A. T., Gandy, came out of gaol yesterday and immediately got a cheque form filled up for £2 los and attempted to pa9s it in the same shop. The owner recognised him and he left and cashed the cheque in another shop. Candy notified tire police and Johnstone was arrested. He was sentenced to-day to two months’ imprisonment on each of the two charges the sentences to he cumulative. BROKEN TAIL SHAFT. GISBORNE, April 3. The motor ship Margaret, en route from Auckland to Gisborne, is reported to have broken her tail shaft off East Cape last night The vessel reached Hicks’ Bay this morning under sail. The Margaret AY. anchored in Hicks’ Bay this morning The Tiroa has been despatched from Gisborne, and if necessary will tow the disabled steamer to this port for repairs, which are expected to occupy some days, during which time the Hikurangi will take up the running. . ■ ' .

INQUEST VERDICT. ' ■* WELLINGTON. , April 3. At the inquest on George ’ John Startup, who collapsed at the wheel of a car while driving along Hutt road, a verdict of heart failure was returned. The Coroner commended: Mrs Startup on her presence of mind in leaning over and turning , off the ignition, thus avoiding an accident which might have involved several people. 0 FORGERY CHARGE. ' TaUMARANUI, April 3. William George Berry, on a charge or forging a cheque by altering it from £2-40s 6d to £3 16s 6d pleaded guilty at the Magistrate’s Court,.Ohura, and was committed to Auckland for sentence. FIRE AT AWATOTO. AN ARROW ESCAPE. NAPIER, April 1. A seven-roomed house at Awatoto, owned by Mr. S. Harris, and occupied oy Mr and Mrs J. Jenkins was destroyed by fire late to-night. M> Jenkins was sitting reading in the kitchen and his wife was in the same room when they discovered that the front of the house was ablaze. They had only time to seize their child from ts bed and make their escape. Mr Jenkins was able to move his car from a shed, which, however, was saved. Northing was saved from the house.

Awatoto is beyond the fire brigade boundary and there Is no water supply. The direction of ■ the wind and the efforts of a bucket brigade prevented the adjoining houses from catching ire. The house was insured for £7OO in the Phoenix office and the furniture for £l5O.

A LUCKY ESCAPE. BLENHEIM, April 3. A marvellous escape from death or serious injury was the experience oi Samuel Hunter, aged about 62, who was knocked over by the PictonBlenheim train at Tuamarina crossing this morning, as the train was running in to stop at Tuamarina station. Hunter was walking towards the crossing and he saw the train coining, hut stated afterwards that he became dizzy and had no control ovei his movements. He had been in ill health of late and was subject to dizzy turns. He was struck in the legs by the cowcatcher and carried along on the front of the engine. The (train was promptly pulled up and Hunter was picked up and placed i» the guard’s van. Upon arrival in Blenheim the injured man was removed to the Wairua Hospital. By a remarkable good fortune, his injuries were confined to a fractured left