A WELLINGTON SENSATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 December 1918, Page 8

A WELLINGTON SENSATION.

MAYOR AND MINISTER HOAXED.

A WOMAN TAKES PART.

By Telegraph.— Press Association.

Wellington, Last Night. A rumor of an attempt to spirit the Minister of Health away on some mysterious journey last night is arousing much interest in the lobbies. It appears that at a late hour messages reached the Minister and Mr. Luke (Mayor of Wellington). The latter was told that his wife was ill, and though he was sceptical, Mr. Luke departed to investigate the matter. Then Mr. Russell's message arrived, stating that Mr. Luko had heart seizure in a cab near Parliament Buildings. Mr. Russell and others, after acquainting the police with their suspicions of a hoax, went to the taxi, the driver whereof said he had been paid a pound to stand by, but he did not know nig employer's purpose. One or two persons escaped from the taxi, but two remained, a man and a woman in man's clothing. When taken to the police station the latter said she was responsible for the scheme, and wanted to take the Minister to what she descried as some of the "hell holes" of Wellington. Mr. Luke stated to-day that the woman had been a strenuous voluntary helper during the epidemic, and had ■worked day and night- He had appointed her an inspector. It is understood that the woman will be placed under observation, so that ber ment*l condition may oe ascertained.

STRATFORD,

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

[All communications, letters, etc., left with Mr H. J. Hopkins, bookseller, will receive prompt intention.]

Stratford, Dec. 3.

It was something in the nature of a treat to be in Stratford to-day. In the past Tuesday has been one of the busy days of the week, as the cattle sales attract the man on the land'and his wife and family. To-day the bright sunshine induced many people to come into town, and this may be taken as a good sign, as it evidenced there are plenty able to move about, and, when not in Broadway, quite capable of getting on with their work. Hairdressers resumed operations to-day, and to many customers the open ing of these shop 3 has proved a boon. Yesterday your Hawera correspondent stated there were 29 deaths there from influenza. This evidently only referred to Europeans, as I learn on reliable authority that up to yesterday 42 Maoris had died at Hawera and 17 at Manaia. Patea was hardly as bad as Hawera, as the total number of natives of the river port who had "gone west" totalled 22, but these figures were up to November 29.

We are'now entering the Christmas period. Mr. C. E. Jame3 has been fortunate enough to secure a choice shipment of really reaDonable goods that will delight the small child, interest the school boy. and girl, and articles that will please tie miss and mistress. Poor old father is not forgotten, and, if he likes a smoke, will find the choicest brands in cigars, cigarettes, and pipe tobacco available, for selection. Remember the shop—C. E. James' Jewellery Warehouse. —Ad.