AUSTRALIAN ITEMS.

Auckland Star, Volume XL, Issue 204, 27 August 1909, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN ITEMS.

_ • GEELONG LADY MISSING. The disappearance of Mrs. Gunn, wife of Mr. D. C. Gunn, manager for Dixon Bros., Geelong, is causing anxiety to her friends. She left Geelong in the steamer Edina on the 12th inst., to meet some friends in Melbourne. On arrival in the metropolis, she reconsigned her luggage to Geelong. For a few days it was thought that she was with her friends, but inquiries since made elicit the fact that they have never seen her, and she has disappeared, leaving not the slightest trace. She and her husband are in comfortable circumstances, and most happy in their relations. For some weeks prior to leaving for Melbourne, however, Mrs. Gunn complained of severe pains in her head. VERDICT OF MANSLAUGHTER. At an inquiry held at Melbourne into the death of Mary Elizabeth yon Hanstein, a married woman (24), it was stated that deceased was a daughter of Mrs Honner, licensee of the Bridge Hotel, Bridge-road, Burnley. She was married in November last in Melbourne, and with her husband, Rudolph Frederick yon Hanstein, went to Sydney. They returned in March, nnd took up their residence at Mrs Honner's hotel. On March 16, it was alleged, yon Hanstein was under the influence of liquor, and during the night piercing screams were heard issuing from the room occupied by the young married couple. Mrs Honner, Miss Naughton and a Mr Watson ran upstairs, and' saw yon Hanstein and his wife. The latter fell, and was carried to her mother's room. Mrs yon Hanstein, who complained that her husband hnd ill-used her by throwing her against the edge of the bed, became so ill that an Dperation was deemed to be necessary. Subsequently she was removed to a prirate hospital, where she died on April 10. The husband mysteriously disappeared, and a warrant was issued for his arrest, Dn a charge of having inflicted grievous bodily harm upon his wife. Yon Hanstein, however, appears to have definitely disappeared. Dr. M. U. O'Sullivan, a specialist in women's diseases, stated that the real ?ause of death was ill-usage. The coroner found yon Hanstein guilty ]f manslaughter. THE WAIRUNA IN HEAVY WEATHER. The Union Company's steamer Wairuna arrived at Newcastle from Port Ohnlmers a day late. Captain Collins explained that his vessel was delayed by extremely rough weather. He left the New Zealand port on the 13th inst., and, anticipating bad weather, came north of the usual course. The Wairuna, however, soon ran into the full force of a violent storm. Terrific o-ales were blowing from the west and south-west, and they were accompanied by mountainous seas. For four days the Wairuna plunged through the elements, and encountered hailstorms, snow, and gales. It was the worst weather Captain Collins ever experienced, but he kept his vessel's head to it, and it was not until about 200 miles from the Australian coast that the weather abated. Shortly after the Wairuna left Now Zealand a barque was passed hoveto under her main lower topsails, and evidently having a rough time of it. Tho identity of the vessel could not be xsccrtained. TOMOANA IN A GALE. Exceptionally heavy weather was en3ounterccl by tho Tyser liner Tomoana lfter rounding the Cape of Good Hope on lier way from New York to Melbourne. For several days tho big vessel was knocksd about by mountainouß seas, and bhow squalls were frequent, Two days prior to moountering this storm the Tomoana passe dan iceberg about 110 ft In height, the position being latitude 47 deg 28 mm passed an iceberg about 110 ft in height, ,vhich Captain Linklater states is in the ocality or the Orozet Islands, The berg, ,vhich was pinnacle-shaped, was the only ;c.e seen on the voyage, The Tomoana is iischarging at Sydney, and will proceed ihence to Auckland. She is due here ibout the end of this month.