ITEMS IN BRIEF

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 83, 2 January 1929, Page 10

ITEMS IN BRIEF

FROM FAR AND NEAR ’ Handbag Swallowed by Elephants— A woman at the Adelaide Zoo held her handbag, containing £ll,. near an elephant, which seized it in its trunk. In a trice the bag was conveyed to its capacious mouth, masticated, and swallowed. - Press Assn. The Warship Canberra. — The Australian warship Canberra has arrived at Capetown en route to Australia. The crew were entertained by the citizens.— Australian Press Association. Snowstorms in England.—An Australian Press Association message from London states that the old year closed with snowstorms throughout the country. Traffic Accidents in Sydney.— Traffic accidents in Sydney metropolitan area show a 20 per cent, increase for eleven months of 1928, compared with the whole of the previous year, the total number killed and injured being 6353, of whom - 192 were killed. —Press Assn. Theft Admitted.— Edward William Wilkins, a steward, aged 32, appeared before Mr. J. H. Salmon, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court on Monday on a charge of stealing £4. 15s from Edgar Williams. Accused, who pleaded guilty, was reinanded until Wednesday for sentence, pending a report from the probation officer. Drunk in Charge of Car.—An Invercargill Press Association message states that William Lee, a farmer, was fined £25 for being drunk in charge of a motor- ■' car, which collided with another car and finally pulled up against a power pole. Youth’s Fatal Dive.— Frank Bosnitch (17 years of age) dived into a pool at Whangarei on Sunday afternoon and struck his bead on a projecting bank, which was hidden by mud brought down by a flood. He dislocated his neck. The body was recovered some hours later. Child Drowned in Surf.— Vera .Armistice Heward, aged ten years, in an effort to retrieve a ball she was playing with in the surf at New Brighton on Monday, went beyond her depth, and was carried out by the tide before help could arrive. The body has not yet been recovered.—Press Assn. Roads to Thames.—A statement broadcast on Sunday night that both roads from Mercury Bay to Thames were impassable is incorrect, states a Thames Press Association telegram. The route via Tapu Tiki and the Coromandel main road are quite ail right for motorists. The Tapu-Coroglen road will require chains if there is more rain, but it was passable on Monday. Chicken Farm Murders. —A United Service message states that at Los Angeles Mrs. Louisa Nbrthcott, 60 years of age, pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to life imprisonment, following her confession of participation in the so-called Chicken Farm murders of small boys, thirty miles outside the city. Officer Suspended.—A Press Association message from Melbourne states that Mr. M. L. Shepherd, secretary of the Defence Department, has been suspended from duty. The reason is not stated officially, but it is understood that it is connected with the Civil Aviation Department. The Minister is reticent, as the matter is to be the subject of an inquiry. Pitcairn Islander Injured.—The officers of the Remuera, which arrived at Wellington yesterday from Home, reported that when the vessel was at Pitcairn Island the assistance of the ship’s surgeon was sought to attend one of the island girls, who had fallen fifty feet from a coconut tree. The ship’s surgeon. Dr. G. E. Wood. landed, and attended to the girl, who had been severely injured by the accident, which had occurred twelve days previously. .■ Fire in Korumburra.— Damage estimated at £30,000 was caused by a fire at Korumburra, -which destroyed four shops and seriously damaged several others, before it was checked, states a. Press Association message from Melbourne. For a considerable time all the shops in the block were endangered. The firemen effected a good save. Two firemen were overcome by the fumes from the burning buildings. Small boys smoking cigarettes were believed to be responsible. " Damage to Victoria Wireless Station.— .No official estimate has been provided of the damage by fire to the wireless station in Victoria. The fire was caused by a • spark from the exhaust of a crude Oil engine. The station is now working on reserve plant. It is one of the key links of • the Empire beam service.—Press Association. Two Giris Drowned in Surf.—A treacherous surf adjacent to Gosford, on Friday, claimed two girls, aged ten and fourteen, states a Press Association message Sydney. Several men were also carried out. Captain'Mclntyre’s, aeroplane was close by, and he hopped off with.'lifebelts, which were dropped from overhead, and fell near the girls, who were, however, drowned. The men, after a desperate fight, reached the beach. The names of the two girls who were drowned were Elsie Bowcock, 14. and Beryl West, 10.- The elder girl’s body was recovered. The other has not been found. The bathing party was made up to celebrate Elsie Bowcock s birthday. Imperial Merchant Service Guild.— The report issued last November by the Board of Trade of the Committee appointed to advise on the subject of the examinations of masters and mates of British merchant ships, contains the interesting fact that, amongst others, the use pt Captain Blaekburne’s tables is advised. Captain Biackburne was for over twenty years principal examiner of masters and mates in New Zealand. One of the members of the committee referred to, was Mr T. W. Moore. C.8.E.. secretary of the Imperial Merchant Service Guild, which is in close and constant touch ynth the Wellington Merchant Service Guild. Injured in Motor Collision.—Abrasions to his head and a broken collarbone were suffered by Frederick Jones when a service car arid light truck collided bn Monday afternoon, states a Press Association message from Waimate.' me truck was conveying seven passengers from Studholme, and the only wmred wore Jones and two women. Misses Adamson and Anderson, the two latter receiving injuries and shock. None or the csr passengers was hurt.