NEWS BREVITIES

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 339, 26 April 1928, Page 13

NEWS BREVITIES

Prison For Vagrant.—Ettie O’Toole, aged 40, appeared at the Police Court to-day and was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment for being idle and disorderly.

Struck By Motor-car.—Mrs. M. A. Anstiss, a widow, aged 60, was struck by a motor-car in Victoria Avenue, a little before 8 p.m., yesterday. She received abrasions and was taken to hospital.

Railway Labourer Killed. —Thomas Godfrey, a married man, aged 59, a railway labourer at Dunedin, was killed by a train yesterday.’ He was passing just behind it, on his way home from work, when it started, killing him instantly.

Conscience Money.—The Treasury acknowledges receipt of the following conscience money from persons unknown: Amounts of £ 2 and £l, sent to the Railways Department; 7s to the Treasury, and £2 10s to the Stamp Duties Department.

Small House Burned. —A five-roomed house at Oaonui, near New Plymouth, owned and occupied by Mr. W. H. Tippins, a farmer, was destroyed by fire on Wednesday. The house was insured for £350, and the furniture for £250.

“Old Contemptible."—Percy Edward Merchant, aged 40, a blacksmith, of Rahotu. who was found dead in bed on Wednesday night, was an Imperial soldier and one of the “Old Contemptibles,” according to a Press Association message from New Plymouth.

Car Turns Over.—While driving a car along the Ohaupo Road near Te Rahu on Thursday. Mr. T. C. Johnston, of Te Mawhai, in pulling off the road to allow a horseman to pass, turned too quickly. The front wheels became locked the car turning completely over. Mr. Johnston was badly shaken and the car badly damaged.

Diphtheria at Devonport.—A slight outbreak of diphtheria, in a mild form, has troubled the Devonport public school. At the meeting of the Borough Council last evening the Mayor, Mr. E. Aldridge, reported that the number of cases was six, not seven, as rumoured, and the sanitary inspector was taking adequate precautions for disinfecting the school.

Church and Maoris. —By far the greatest part of the cost of the work among Maoris in 1926-27 was borne by the North Island, according to the report of the sessional committee cf the General Synod. The Christchurch diocese gave £543 for this mission, and the Nelson diocese £92. Nothing was received from other South Island dioceses. It was recommended that in order to secure more support for the work of the Maori mission, especially in the South Island, the mission should be co-ordinated with the Board of Missions as soon as possible.

Land Settlement.— Disappointment that no definite steps had been taken to institute an inquiry into the land settlement problem was expressed at a meeting of the executive of the New Zealand Land Settlement and Development League yesterday. Although the Minister of Lands had informed a deputation that he was seeking suitable men to conduct the inquiry, and it was expected that something definite would be done, the expectation had not been realised. It was decided to again give publicity to the findings of oontinnai committees.