DOMINION NEWS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 7, 19 December 1911, Page 5

DOMINION NEWS.

FIRE AT ALICETOWN. (Per Press Association.) Wellington, December 19. A fire at Ahcetown destroyed a dwelling owned and occupied by Edward Pointon. The building was insured for £3OO and the 'furniture for £125. A DESTRUCTIVE FIRE. Hamilton, December 19. By fire last night a building in the main street, occupied by Shepherd (hardware dealer), and owned by E. J. Hears, with stock and a large quantity of furniture belonging to Georgetti and Garnhaxn (the latter manager of the Bank of New South Wales), which was stored in the building, was burnt. Garnham’s furniture was valued at £6OO, and insured for £4OO in the National.Georgetti’s was insured for £750 in the Union. The building was insured in the South British, but the amount is not known. Shepherd’s stock was insured for £4OO in the Northern. YOUNG BOY DROWNED. Whangarei, December 18. Sydney Nelson, of Kiripaka, aged 11, when crossing a bridge yesterday afternoon, fell into the Ngungururu River and was drowned. The only witness was his young who was unable to assist. The body has been recovered. ' ‘ : . THE HOARDING FATALITY. Auckland, December 18. The body of the youth killed' during the gale by a hoarding falling on him in Queen Street lias been identified as that of Leslie Kenneth AngUfh aged seventeen, employed as cleaner in the railway sheds. Ho bad been on leave, and was to have commepced work this afternoon. A THREATENED STRIKE, Auckland, December 18. ‘ ‘The employers have thrown , down the gauntlet, and it is more than likely that it yill not lie very long before it is picked up,” said the president of the General Labourers’ Union today regarding the men’s demands for improved conditions and bighet pay; The impression among the union officials was that the employers were determined to force a fight.. If a strike did occur it would be because the men had been forced beyond the bonds of endurance by the employers. The general opinion among larger employers is that a strike may occur at any minute, and an industrial crisis ■on a scale never experienced in the Dominion before is anticipated 'by some. GALE IN AUCKLAND. Auckland, December 18. _ A fierce westerly gale raged .in Auckland to-day, abating towards evening. Trees were uprooted and iron blown from roofs, and fences levelled to the earth. Several brick walls collapsed, plate glass windows in shops smashed and serious damage was done to orchards. The ferry service is disorganised, and many yachts in the harbour are ashore. Instances of carts being overturned by gusts of wind are by no means singular. LANDMARK DESTROYED. Blenheim, December 18. An old landmark was last night removed when the Riverlands factory was destroyed by fire. It was used as a rabbit-canning factory by t'ho Hou. W. Clifford about thirty years ago, and is at present owned by Mrs Gridley. It was insured for £2OO in the Liverpool, London and Globe Office. YEN. ARCHDEACON HARPER. Timaru, December 18. Yen. Archdeacon Harper, who leaves for England next week, issues a letter of affectionate farewell to his parishioners and friends, after thirtysix years’ service. Timaru citizens will give' him a farewell and purse in recognition of his public services. A considerable sum has been subscribed. TOO MUCH RAIN. Timaru, December 18. The weather continues wet, with frequent heavy showers. About 2J inches of rain has fallen during the last three days, and will be beneficial to farmers. The heavy hail lias done damage in some localities. A FATAL FALL. Timaru, December 18. An elderly man named James Bradding, living in a tent in a quarry, whilst going homo on Saturday night fell from the top of a quarry bank. His head struck a projecting rock, and ho yas found dead this morning. DEATH AFTER A FIT.. Dunedin, December 18. A young man named Hug'll Spiers was admitted to the hospital .a' little after 10 a.m. to-day, apparently suffering from a fit, and he died about half an hour afterwards. Deceased came from Christchurch on the 11th instant, and had been staying with friends at Woodhaugh. Last night he appeared ill, but refused to have a doctor caled in. He rose about 10 a.m. to-day, and went to an outhouse to wash, but fell on the floor, apparently 1 in a nt. . /* i ’> I,