DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 May 1930, Page 6

DOMINION ITEMS.

FATAL FALL FROM HORSE,

,By Telegraph—Per Press Association.!

CHRISTCHURCH, May 27

Last seen near Hill Top at 8 o’clock on Sunday evening, George TVhuia Robinson, a labourer, aged 36, a widower with five children at Little River, was found unconscious on Hill Top Road at half past eight on Monday. Ho was taken to Christchurch hospital, where h 0 died twelve hours later. It is believed that Robinson suffered injuries by being thrown from a horse.

TARANAKI ARSON CHARGE

NEW PLYMOUTH, May 27

An unusual ending to a trial in the Supreme Court to-day resulted in the acquittal, upon Mr Justice Blairs’ direction, of Robert Thomson, charged with arson in connection with the fire in the Thomson car-painting premises at Eltham, as telegraphed yesterday. The Judge said that he had had personal experience of the explosive qualities of petrol gas. The question was whether there was sufficient gas in the building after Thomson had been cleaning the car with benzine ti> cause an explosion when Thomson jUt a 'match.- 'The 'Crown had not produced evidence to eliniinate the possibility of the percentage of gas in, the building being so high as to cause an explosion, and, in the circumstances, His Honour ..-held that it would h e unsafe to convict, and he instructed the jury accordingly. Thomson was acquitted.

UNEMPLOYED’S DEPUTATION

WANGANUI, May 27

A large deputation of unemployed met the Mayor this morning, and stated the case for immediate work heina found by the Government. They called upon the Mayor to make urgent representations to Mr Veitch on the subject.

DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION. j _-,v WELLINGTON,, May 27

Mr Strong, Director of .Education returned to-day from- a visit to Australia, where he attended a meeting of Directors of Education from various States and visted Educational institutions in New South Wales and Victoria, to ascertain particularly how all the three branches of education primary, secondary find technical, are co-ordinated. He also made inquiries into agricultural education, child welfare and education of mentally deficient children. He said that he could not comment at present on the results of his visit. He was making a report to the Minister. It would include recommendations for improving the education system in New Zealand as the result of his investigations. He proposed to call together as early as possible school inspectors and place before them for discussion various matters arising out of his visit.

MARKETING OF FRUIT AND VEGETABLES.

WELLINGTON, 'May 27

The Minister of Industries and Commerce (lUr ..Donald): stated to-day that he. had decided to refer to the liidustvieir'and"Commereb''Committee of the House, the matter of inquiring into the methods of marketing of fruit, and vegetables, early in the coming session. This course will permit of anyone. desiring to give evidence, to clo

AUCKLAND TRAMS

AUCKLAND, May 27

A net profit of £B,BBB on the year’s operations of the Auckland Transport ■Board was'disclosed in the statement of tbp ;chairman, Mr J. A. C. Alliim, at tli,e annual .meeting of the Board this afternoon The gross: 'profit on tramways service' was £193,303, and there was a-'loss-on omnibus service of £IB.OOO, leaving for the combined undertaking a gross profit of £175,297.

YOUNG ' WOMAN' INJURIED

WELLINGTON, May 28

A young woman, Miss Angus, while riding a pillion on a motor cycle at one this morning fell off in Oriental Parade and was taken to the hospital iii a grave condition.

RESIDENCE BURNT.

MAN’S LUCKY ESCAPE.

TLI A AXES, May .28

Awakened hv smoke and an explosion, Roy Willis had a narrow escape from being burnt when a ten roomed house on the outskirts of the town, was burned >to the ground -at' 3.35 this morning. Willis .had been looking after^,thee place during the owner’s absence tint this was the first night lie slept in the place, which sitna>ted on a hill, made a most imposing spectacle. The fire brigade was helpless.’ as there were no water ina.ins near the place. Tt was owned by S. Tt. Hislop, of Hikukaia, and was insured for £7OO.

WANTED—A HUSBAND

TWO MEN WILLING

DUNEDIN, May 26

Two .aspjrants for the hand of the Glasgow womarT who wrote to the Mayor (Mr Black) acking him to find