DOMINION ITEMS

Greymouth Evening Star, 1 July 1936, Page 2

DOMINION ITEMS

[per press association.]

NELSON CITY COUNCIL. NELSON, June 30.

Mr J. A. Harley was elected’to fill the vacancy on the Nelson City Council, at a poll taken yesterday. Votes were cast as follow: J. A. Harley 790, F. Sharland 662, S. Street 345, H. Washbourn 319. The election was necessary because of the resignation of ‘Councillor S. Moynagh. Mr Harley is the son Mr J. Harley, a former Mayor of Nelson. THEFTS OF CARS. TIMARU, June 30. There is a car thief operating on a grand scale in the South Island. On Monday, a car was stolen in Ashburton, and it was found abandoned later on the outskirts of Timaru. On Monday evening, a car was stolen in Timaru, and to-day it was found abandoned in a damaged condition at Herbert, south of Oamaru. A short time later, a Herbert resident reported that his car had been stolen. The thefts are too close to be a co-incidence. The police are satisfied that the thefts were the work of the same person.

SLEEP WITH DEAD MAN. CHRISTCHURCH, June 30

Three bottles of methylated spirits and two pies comprised a week’s diet for James Peter Coffey, a labourer, aged 55, who lay dead beside Richard John Barnes, in the same bed at a bach in Chester Street, on the morning of June ? last. , Evidence to this effect was heard by Mr E. C. Levvey, Coroner, when the inquest on Coffey’s death was completed this morning. A verdict was returned that death was due to influenzal pneumonia, accompanied by acute alcoholic intoxication.

CHURCH WINDOWS SMASHED INVERCARGILL, June 30.

The Presbyterian Church at Niagara, about 50 miles east of Invercargill, looks as if it has been struck by a tornado, as thirty-two windows are broken, 28 at the side, and four in front. It is not known who broke the windows, but there is no mistaking what they were broken with. A heap of metal had been placed in the grounds of the church, in preparation for the formation of a footpath from the road to the church door. Instead of a working bee of church members performing a useful service, some irresponsible people used the stones to shatter the windows.

STABLE-HAND KILLED WANGANUI, June 30

Fatally injured when he was thrown from a bolting horse, Darrell Leslie, aged about 40, stable hand, employed by L. G. Paul, Wanganui East, died in the hospital to-night. The horse from which Leslie was thrown slipped on the asphalt road below Aramoho railway bridge, after bolting about a mile. Deceased had been in Paul’s employ for the past twelve years', and prior' to that had been in several leading stables in the Dominion, having been with J. H. Jefferd, J. Prosser, T. Lloyd and James Bull at different times. He was a popular figure on Wanganui tracks, where he was popularly known by the nickname of "Nap.”

COLLECTOR’S THEFTS. AUCKLAND, June 29

Having been employed as a collector of fees by the Auckland Hospital Board from June, 1930, until February, 1936, James Phillip Guy, aged 47, pleaded guilty this morning, before Mr W. R. McKean, S.M., to two charges of stealing sums totalling £6B belonging to the board. Accused was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence.

George Scarby, Government, audit inspector, gave evidence that when he first interviewed, him the accused denied all knowledge of the discrepencies, but when seen later, in company with a detective, he admitted receiving certain sums.

Detective Allsopp said Guy was married, with two young children. He had been employed on a salary and had given every assistance in clearing the matter up. Bail was allowed in a surety of £lOO. TAXI-DRIVER FINED. AUCKLAND, July 1.

Described by the police as a menace who should not be allowed to drive a car, a taxi driver, Eric Gordon Hunter, pleaded guilty to charges of negligent driving, failing to stop after an accident, failing to report an

, — — O w—- — and procuring liquor while prohibited. The police said that accused cut a corner at 35 miles per hour, on June 2, knocked down a man who is still in hospital, and drove on. A boy who witnessed the accident was driven by the police round the city, next day, and identified the taxi involved. Hunter first denied, but later admitted that he knew he knocked a man down. He said that he became frightened, and drove on. “This is no trivial matter,” said Mr. McKean, S.M., imposing a fine of £2O with costs, on the charge of failing to stop, and fines on the other charges, bringing the total to £26. Hunter’s license was' capcelled for five years. <