DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 December 1930, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS.

RADIO FOR MENTAL HOSPITAL. By TelegrapU—Per Press Association.i AVELLINGTON, Dictiiiber 26. The radio equipment installed at Porirua mental hospital as the result of the recent public appeal, was officially handed over to the hospital authorities yesterday afternoon by the Hon. A. J. Stallworthy, who declared the installation open. The Minister expressed keen appreciation of the efforts of * the honorary organiser of the public appeal, Air L. O. Hooker, and thanked those who had subscribed and made tlie installation of the equipment possible. Tn accepting the equipment, Dr. J. U. Williams thanked Air Hooker and those who had contributed. He and the staff in general had agreed to call the loud-speaker in the women’s day room the “Hooker speaker,” ana that in the men’s day room the “Hawera speaker.” EXPLOSION IN THE ROOMS. CHRISTCHURCH, December 27. A metal cyclitider containing carbon dioxide gas exploded with terrific force in tea rooms at New Brighton Last evening. The gas was used to supply a soda fountain. The explosion wrecked portion of the shop, damaged the counters, and injured one assistant, thoilgh not severely, aikl also severely shocked others. Tlie in j tired man, AV. Barnes, Was struck above the right Knee by a fragment of the cylinder, and was badly bruised, being admitted to the hospital. The cylinder was shattered to fragments, which flew everywhere. The damage to the shop is estimated at £IOO sterling. INOUEST VERDICT. AVELLINGTON, December 27. At the inquest at AVellington into the death of Mrs Minnie Spinks, the Coroner, Mr Salelc, J.P., returned a verdict that she met her death as the result of electrocution while handling a defective radiator when her hands were wet with bathing. Dr. Tennent said that in view of the possibility that her death might be attributed by the public to the increased voltage now used, lie would like to point out sortie facts with regal'd to death by electrocution. Tlie history of the subject showed that voltage on the whole had very little to do with tlie damage done. In this particular case the conditions for electric shock were about as most perfect as possible. “T do not think we can attribute the seriousness of this case to the voltage but to the mere fact that the *• deceased was inimersed at the time in water that Avas in connection with earth.” To the police the witness said that lie was of opinion that death would have ensued had the voltage been only 110.).. ' ' , PILLION RIDER HURT. BLENHEIM, December 29. Barry Penney of 90'Mile Street, Bast Nelson, riding a pillion motor cycle driven by Pat Gibbdns of Nelson, sustained extend ve injuries in a collision with a waggon loaded with drums of benzine. The drums swung o*‘ the waggori and bombarded the unfortunate cvclists. The injuries include a cut over the left: eye, dartiaged right; knee; extensive bruises, abrasions find outs. None are serioiiis. 'Gibbons escaped with a few bruies and shock. DOCTOR DROAVNED ROTORUA, December 29. Rodger Beattie, 28, a medical attendant of the Auckland Mental Hospital, wiis drowned while bathing in Lake Tiinpo yesterday. The fa tali tv occurred at a point two miles out of the Tokrtanu Road. MTS'SING MAN. CHRISTCHURCH. Deo. 29. Mr Gils Davis left bis home at. 170, Aritigua Street, sit 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve with the expressed purpose of going to the Working Alert’s UiiH library, biit lias not been seen since. His absence has been reported to tlie police. Last evening they had riot heard anything about the mvssing man. Afr Davis is described as a man of fortv-five, about sft 7in in height. He is fair and lias wavy hair. AVhen be went awav be was wearing a grey suit with a. double-breasted eoat and a Fun silk shi'ft and -bow tie. He bad black patent leather shoes and a grey felt bat. Airs Davis said that she kneiv of no reason why he should leave home.