TELEGRAPHIC.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3776, 3 October 1907, Page 3

TELEGRAPHIC.

Mastkhton, October 1. At an inquest held this evening concerning the death of Stanley Allen Hanson, killed by a dray falling on him in a Borough paddock on Monday evening, the jury returned a verdict that deceased met his death by an accident, no blame being attached to anyone. Pahiatua, Oct 2. A portion of the parapet ot the Commercial Hotel, which is in course of construction, came down with a crash at about seven this morning, owing to the extreme violence of the wind. Fortunately no one was injured. The damage }s estimated at about .£6O. A number of telephone wires were broken by the fall of the parapet, but a gang of linemen were speedily cn the scene, and telephonic communication is being rapidly restored. Auckland, Oct 2. James. Sullivan, steward of the Kotiti, for selling liquor to the Maoris at Matakana during the absence of the captain, was fined and costs. The Magistrate, Mr Dyer, held that the captain was not morally responsible, though he might perhaps be technically. A decision on the latter point was reserved. Christchurch, October 2. Three business men were sued today by the Commissioner of Taxes. They had neglected to read the printed instruction on a summons under subsection 2 of section 3 of the Land and Income Assessement Act. They found the commissioner can recover the amount of tax in the Magistrate’s Court without appearing, providing that defendant has been served with a summons thirty 7 ’ days before the date of hearing, and has not before eight days of hearing filed a special written defence. If no special defence is filed, defendant cannot make an answer to the claim, even if he attends the Court. MastEßTOn, October 2.

This district was visited by a storm of phenomenal violence at an early hour this morning. When blowing in heavy gusts from the north-west, the wind suddenly veered to the southerly, causing a kind of cyclone or whirlwind. One incident was the carying up of a sheet of galvanised iron above the tops of two-storey houses, the iron twirling around like a sheet of paper. During the height of the storm many residents were apprehensive that their houses would be blown over. The roar of the gale up towards the Tararua ranges was almost terrifying. Shortly after eight a thunderstorm set in with a tropical downpour of rain lasting about an hour, during which fully half an inch of rain fell.

The meteorological visitation is one that Masterton has not often experienced. The phenomenal force of the wind drove the rain almost horizontally, so that it is almost certain the rainfall registered by the gauge is considerably less than the actual fall. Whangarei, October 2. As Mrs McDonald, Miss McKenzie, and the former lady’s two young children were driving at Kaurihoere yesterday afternoon, the horse took fright and bolted, and the vehicle coming in contact with some obstacle was smashed. The occupants were violently ejected on a heap of large stones. Both ladies were picked up unconscious and carried to Mrs McDonald’s home which was close at hand. The children marvellously escaped from injury. Miss McKenzie is suffering from concussion, but Mrs McDonald’s condition can not be determined for a few da3^s.