DOMINION ITEMS

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 October 1926, Page 5

DOMINION ITEMS

(Per Press Association.)

SLIP ON ALVIN TRUNK. TA UMAR UN UI, October 14.

A further slip occurred on the railway line at Whakapflpa .this morning. Some of the local trains were held up, but it is anticipated that the line will be clear for rhe express to pass through.

TIMBER MILL ABLAZE.

NELSON, October 15.

H. Bargent’s large timber mill was totally destroyed by fire last evening. Barge stocks of timber nearby were saved, owing to the absence oi wind The loss is considerable. There i« no insurance. ■

SHEPHERD’S SUICIDE. AUCKLAND, October 15. A Rawene message states that Edwin William Shepherd, committed suicide by’ hanging himself in a tent, the Public Works Camp, Tutehehua.

FLOODS AT MERCER. AUCKLAND, October 15.

The flood .at Mercer is expected to each peak point to-day. A complete inundation has taken place on oie road past the timber mill. Many residences in this locality have been vaulted and in the lower levels, water is flowing freely through the houses. Shunting on the railway was aband>ned. No loss of stock is reported.

JERSEY SALE: PALMERSTON N., October 14 The annual Manawatu Jersey Bull md Heifer Show and Sale commenced rhis morning. There was fairly good •ompetition, few being passed up tc one o’clock. ‘The top price was 97 guineas for a heifer on account ol L. Horn, of Ohan. names ‘Kuku Nella,” purchased by Mr T. C. Smith, of Otorohanga.

MISSING MAN FOUND. WELLINGTON, October 15. Word has been received in Otak: that Jock Reid, who has been absent from Otaki for about four weeks, is in Wellington. It will be remembered that Reid’s r<r was found over m embankment in the gorge, and that his whereabouts were a mystery. Search parties were out on several occasions, but no trace was found.

A FATAL DRINK. AUCKLAND, October 14. At the inquest on Jeremiah Me Grath, who was found dead in a house, medical evidence was given that death was due to heart failure following shock, after taking poison. It was stated that the deceased drank lime of sulphur in mistake for gin. The Coroner found that the deceased died tlnoiigh accidentally drinking poison.

N.Z. FREEMASONS. AUCKLAND, October 14

The New Zealand Masonic headquarters will be transferred from Auckland to Wellington at the end of this month in accordance with ar arrangement whereby a change is to be made every two years. The annua] communication will be held at We] lington on November 24. The Gov ernor-General, the present Grana Master, is the only nominee for the same office.

COOK ANNIVERSARY

GISBORNE, October 14,

The hundred and fifty-seventh anniversary of the landing of Captain Cook in New Zealand was celebrated at the monument at Cook’s Landing Place to-day. There was a large attendance of cadets, boy scouts, girl guides, and also of the general public. Addresses expressing eulogy oi tile great navigator's work were delivered by Messrs E. Edmonds, F.R.G.S., and W. D. Lysnar, and many beautiful wreaths were laid on the memorial.

FIRE AT METH VEN.’

ASHBURTON, October 15.

A fire at Methven this morning destroyed the premises occupied by M. A. Stone, tobacconist and mercer and billiard saloon proprietor, and J. K Stone, Secretary Racing and Trotting Clubs, A. and P., and Dairy Co. AH the contents were lost, except J. E. Stone’s books and safe. The premises were owned by Mrs J. 11. Stone, and a portion was burned last year, the present lire completing the destruction. r I he door of the billiard saloon which was locked last night, was found open when the alarm was given, and burglars are suspected, me insurances were on A. Stone, stock and billiard tables £1250, and building £lOOO. Mr Stone estimates his loss at £lOOO above the insurance.

LAUNCH MISHAP. GHRIS’I CHURCH, October 14. Ihe motor launch “Dauntless,” winch was picked up yesterday by the steamer Maori with her occupants McNeil, McLean and Breen, sank at her moorings this morning. Ihe little craft was moored, with other launches, in front of the Coronation IL'.]]. She had been bailed out yesterday and. made fast. Last night there was a strong surge in the harbour. and of the small craft were damaged. The Dauntless’s stern, which apparently had been strained whilst she was being taken aboard the Maori, gave away, and the vessel sank at her moorings. ibis morning there was a large band of willing helpers, mostly watersiders, assisting McNeil to haul his craft from the bottom 'cf the harbour. On raising it to the waterline, it was found to have a badly-damaged stern. WIDOW’S, APPEAL. WELLINGTON, October 15. The Appeal Court to-day had before it the case of Elizabeth Welsh and an other v. Canadian Government Merchant Marine (Ltd.), an appeal from.a judgment by Judge Herdman at Christchurch last August. Appellant's husband, who was foreman stevedore at Lyttelton, was killed by a cask falling on him through the slings breaking, while loading pelts on the steamer Canadian Challenger on November 17, 1925. He was 55 and his widow 52, but there was no family. Mrs Welsh claimed £3929 damages from the owners of the steamer, but Judge Herdman gave judgment for the Company on the ground that its servants were not responsible for the breaking of the rope, and had exercised all care to see that it was in good condition. The slings had been examined and no defect could be seen. Welsh himself hath the opportunity of inspecting them, which it was his duty to do. It turned out that pelts are packed in pickle containing sulphuric acid, which had affected the rope, but this could not be detected without chemical analysis. The Judge held that the use of acid was unknown to any bf the parties, and dismissed the contention negligence- Against this decision Mrs Welsh now appeals.