DOMINION NEWS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 56, 11 July 1913, Page 5

DOMINION NEWS.

TRAIN DERAILED BY A COW

[Per Press Association.] Dargaville, July 10

A ballast train with six trucks of earth, propelled in front of the engine, left Maropin to-day at a quarter to four, and whilst proceeding down the line, a cow jumped from the bank on to. the line, colliding with the trucks, four of which were derailed and very badly damaged. All the line gangs were quickly on the scene and cleared the way, the train arriving to-night at 9.45, being nearly five hours late.

A MUTTON BIRDER FINED,

Wellington, July 10,

At Invercargill, judgment was given by Mr Cruickshank, S.M., to-day in a case of importance to natives. Hansen, a European, was charged with trespassing on Betsy Island in pursuit of mutton birds. The defence was that he only acted as cook for two natives who captured six thousand birds. The Magistrate said that he was satisfied ‘[hat Hansen was engaged with the others in pursuit of birds, and that to allow natives to take European servants to act as cooks and pluckers, was contrary to the regulations, which was designed to prevent exploitation. Defendant was fined £3. Notice of appeal was given.

A PRISON ESCAPEE

Auckland, July 10

A young prisoner named Joseph Thomas Christie escaped from Mount Eden Gaol this afternoon. He was engaged with other prisoners outside the gaol, when he suddenly walked away. A warder who interrogated him was told that he was carrying a. message to another warder. Nearly three hours later he was seen coming out of the bush a short distance from the gaol by a warder who gave chase, and after a rough and tumble, captured him. He was serving a sentence of two years hard labor and ten years’ reformative treatment for house-breaking. He escaped previously from a train while being taken from Dunedin to Invercargill to serve a portion of another sentence.