DOMINION NEWS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 12, 14 January 1914, Page 2

DOMINION NEWS.

BUSH FIRES IN SOUTHLAND.

[Per Press Association.] Invercargill, January 13

Bush fires are reported in the Makerewa and Longwood districts. In the former a four-roomed house was destroyed. It is stated that settlers and sawmill employees had an anxious time in confining the lire area, but the reports are so far somewhat meagre.

THE SALVATION ARMY.

Wellington, January 13

At the Salvation Army Citadel tonight the first batch of commissions issued in New Zealand to students locally trained were bestowed by Coinmissioner Richards. Twenty-two students received commissions, and sixteen officers already in the field were promoted to higher grades. lb was announced that the Army's sphere of action was being extended in New Zealand, and halls were being opened at Morrinsville, Tauranga, Mt. Eden, Denniston, Blackball, Kilbirnie, Brooklyn and Lower Hutt.

ALLEGED SABOTAGF.

Dunedin, January 13

Whilst engaged chipping the inside of the hold on the steamer Kamona, at Port Chalmers, to-day, a man named J. Wren met with injuries under circumstances that would appear highly significant. Wren is an arbitrationist, who is said to have been put on the black lish by exstrikers. He' was working with four or live of the latter, when (according to his own statement) a chipping hammer weighing about seven pounds whizzed past him and landed at his' feet. A few minutes later, a second hammer came from the same quarter and with better aim, striking him .on the head and inflicting a nasty scalp wound. When was taken to Dr. Hodges, who stitched the wound. Inquiry was immediately made amongst those who were working in the hold with the injured man, but they denied all knowledge of the affair. They were, however, at once dismissed. The police are investigating the matter.

GALE AT DUNEDIN.

Dunedin, January 13

About 11.30 a.m. to-day, a northwest wind developed into a gale which lasted for noarly an hour, and during that time a sensational experience befell Miss Mary Millar, typist for Love Bros., builders and contractors at Port Chalmers, Mr R. Love, of that firm, and Mr Thomson, traveller for Messrs Faterson and Barr. Love Bros.' yards and offices adjoin the old "bond," a three-storey brick building, and the office, store and plumbers' shop abut on walls of the old brick building. In the. midst of the gale the gable-end of the bond at the third floor coilafoserl outwards. T\ie gap left in the wall was about 35 feet by L 5 feet, and the whole of this mass of bricks and mortar fell with a deafening crash upon Love Bros.' office and plumbers' shop, completely wrecking both buildings. Assistance was jm mediately forthcoming, but the rescuers found that the roof of the office had collapsed under the weight of the debris, and. Miss Millar was found to be pinned down by the roof timbers which, however, had fallen across the sale, and thus kept some of the weight off the young lady. She was finally lifted out, very badly bruised, and suffering severely from shock, but apparently having escaped more serious injury. Mr Love had been sitting at a table in conversation with Thomson when the crash came, but the latter happened to be near the front door of tho office, and the front of this building remained upright and kept the roof from collapsing, but Thornson found himself an unwilling prisoner. Love was less fortunate, a rafter falling across his neck and shoulder, pinning him down in his chair, and rendering him powerless to move until rescued. He escaped with a few minor bruises. Thomson was afterwards rescued and was found to have escaped injury. fnvercargill reports that a fierce gale caused considerable damage.