DOMINION ITEMS

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 February 1939, Page 2

DOMINION ITEMS

[I'EH PBEBB ASSOCIATION.]

BUSHMAN INJURED. GISBORNE, February 21

A. fractured skull and bodily injuries were sustained by Thompson Clay, 21. when he was struck by a. falling hough, while working in the bush at Molu. Clay’s companions improvised a. stretcher, and carried the injured man on an arduous two-mile journey to the homestead, where he was attended by the district nurse. Later, he was brought to hospital in Gisborne.

M EDICAL CONFERENCE. CHRISTCHURCH, February 21. 'The biennial conference of the New Zealand branch of the British Medina,. Association opened in Christ church, to-day, with a combined meeting ol all sections, at. which lectures wer<delivered to a. gathering numbering about. 150. 'This afternoon, lectures on ••nephritis" were given by Dr. Russell Chisholm, of Palmerston North, and Dr. J. O. Mercer, of Wellington.

DI ST INGUI SHED REFUGEES

AUCKLAND, February 20

A move in favour of employing distinguished scholars and scientists among European political refugees in New Zealand was made at a meeting of the Auckland University College Council. The subject was introduced in committee while the council was considering applications for academic positions in the college received from overseas. Later it was reported by the president, Mr W. H. Cocker, that the Council hail decided to ask the Government to provide £5OO a year for five years in order that the Council might invite a distinguished scholar or scientist who was now a polticial refugee to become a temporary member of the college stall.

OPTICIANS’ INSTITUTE. WELLINGTON, February 20

'The annual conference of the Institute of Opticians of Now Zealand began in Wellington this morning. The president of the institute, Mr R. Brooke Taylor, Wellington, presided over 40 delegates from all parts of New Zealand. Lectures on orthoptics were given by Messrs G. E. Cox and F. O. Davis. Two more lectures on the same subject will be given to-morrow. 'The official opening of the conference will take place to-morrow night, and general business will be done afterwards. Wednesday will he devoted to a golf tournament, on the Hutt, course. The conference will continue on 'Thursday and Friday.

DUAL VOTING.

NEW PLYMOUTH, February 20

“It is a very serious offence and hits at the basis of democratic, government,” said Mr Justice Reed in the Supreme Court to-day, sentencing Percy Allen, of New Plymouth, to six months' imprisonment for personation, or dual voting. “It is difficult lo detect." added His Honor, “and in the circumstances cannot be passed over.”

On election day last year, Allen, who had been drinking heavily, voted at. the Courthouse and at the Methodist. Hall. lie had no recollection of voting at the Courthouse, but recollected being at the other booth. When the case was heard in the Magistrate’s Court. the prisoner pleaded not guilty and was committed for trial. Before the sessions opened’ this morning, Allen intimated his desire to plead guilty.

SHUNTER'S DEATH. DUNEDIN, February 21)

'The adjourned inquest was held to-day into the death of William Cowie Anderson, who was killed on December 12, when a shunt collided with a waggon being worked on a, turntable in the railway gdods yards, Cumberland Street. Anderson and two other men, Sutherland and' Herbert, were, pushing Hie waggon off Hie turntable on to a line. Anderson was killed immediately, Sutherland was badly injured, and Herbert less seriously injured. After evidence had been heard, the Coroner, Mr J. R. Bartholomew, commented that, apparently the human factor had been at fault, in this case. 'There seemed to have been a lack of that alert and adequate observation which should characterise such dangerous surrou,nd’ing|s. His verdict, would be that death hart been causert by Anderson being crushed by a truck during shunting operations.

WEL L 1 NG TON H OST’ITA L. WELLINGTON. February 20

The first, step in the AVellington Hospital Board’s long-deferred building scheme', the erection of emergency wards at a. cost, ot between £12,000 and £13.000, is now in progress. The. building is expected to be ready for occupation by June. Pending the erection of a new "acute block," the wards will be used to accommodate 50 female surgical patients, relieving congestion elsewhere. Later they will be used in emergencies and as change wards when others are being renovated. The building will be 223 feet long by 41 feet. deep, and will contain 12 four-bed wards and one two-bed ward, in addition to the usual services. The contract, for the erection of a boilerhouse, i<» cost abogr. £20,000 has also been let by the Board, and it is expected that this work will begin wit Ilin a. few days. The new boilerhouse will house plain lu generate all the steam required for the whole group of hospital buildings. POLICH STATION BURNT. Cl IRISTCHIIRCH. February 20. Fire last, night destroyed the Cheviot. Police Station .-111(1 most of the belongings of Constable A. V. Smith and Mrs Smith. Fa,lined by a strong nor’-wester, the house burned like tinder. Virtually the only things saved were the police records Nothing could be done to check the tire, in the absence of a water supply.

.A two-storeyed boa rd) ng-house, I owned' by Mrs N. Armitage, and a' dwelling oci'iipied by Mr I*. (.!. Powell.! on the other side <>f the police station, 1 were saved from destruction. 4

It is believed Hurt the lire started | through the curtains in a bedroomi blowing back <m to a lighted candle.s Although Constable and Airs Smith? were in an adjacent, room al the time a thi' fire was not noticed until it was? too late. » The house. Government-owned, is’ insured, and the contents were covered for £3OO.