NEW ZEALAND NEWS

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 108, 9 January 1915, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND NEWS

MYSTERIOUS SICKNESS FORTY MEN AFFECTED. WHANGAREL Jan. 8, A remarkable seizure of violent sick, uess attacked the men employed at Limestone Island at 10 o'clock this morning. Some twenty men were down, suffering acute pains in the stomach and vomiting. By 2.50 p.m. it was reported that 40 men were affected. The theory was set up that it was English cholera, hut Dr. Hali, who visited the island, dees net think so, though he cannot at present diagnose the cases. He believes it to be some for mof poisoning. Some of the men ate fish, but many had other feed, which makes the affair all the more mysterious. The whole population of the island is in a state of perturbation, and the matter is being fully inquired into. (Limestone Island is 90 acres in extent ,and is situated in the middle of Whangarei Harbour. It is owned by the New Zealand Portland Cement Co., whose works are situated on the foreshore. The working populaton consists of about lot) men,'the majority of them being single men, and who are accommodated in a boardinghcuse alongside the works. Some live at other points on the mainland about a mile away. N.Z. FRUIT FOR SOUTH AMERICA. WELLINGTON, Jan. 8. The Prime- Minister has received, a telegam from Mr. G. L. Tacon, who was sent to South. America to report en the prospects o the fruit market in that country, as follows: "Buenos Ayres, January sth. Profitable shipments from, March -onward for large coloured applies. Complaints of grading and packing." ,

A GENEROUS GIFT.

from: west land racing club. In connection with the appeal by the HOKITIKA, Jan. 9. New Zealand branc7t or the British Medical Association for funds to establish and equip a military base hospital at Trent-ham, the Westland Racing Club last night voted fifty guineas towards the object, with a view to enabling the Medical Association to carry out their proposal to give increased accommodation and equipment of the hospital for New Zealand soldiers. COURTS.' WELLINGTON, Jan. 8. At the Magistrate's Court today Mr. Ccoper, S.M.- fined Ah Young the maximum penalty of £IOO for-keeping a gaming house, and Kem/Slng £25 on a similar charge. Ah Young had several times previously been convicted for using his premises for gambling or selling lottery tickets. Wong' Lou, for being found on Kem Sing's. premises, was fined 20/-. DUNEDIN, Jan. 8.. Sue, Pea alias Sue Chong, was charged at the Police Court to-day with having bee nfound in possessiono of opium in a form suitable for smoking. The police'said that the accused arrived from Timarn last night with nine tins of opium consigned by himself to himself. The goods were claimed b yhim this morning, and the detectives arrested him. It is understood that the opium was obtained from a ship lying at Timaru, upon which part of the crew are Chinamen. The. accused was remanded to TimariL