DOMINION ITEMS

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 May 1942, Page 2

DOMINION ITEMS

RAILWAY TRAGEDY NEW PLYMOUTH, May 20. Severely injured when she fell under the New Plymouth-Auckland express as it left New Plymouth tonight, Mrs. Edna Adelaine Okey, wife of Mr. W. P. Okey, accountant, New Plymouth, died about an hour later in hospital. She was farewelling' a relation, and apparently attempted to leave the train when it was in motion.

KILLED BY TRAM. . CHRISTCHURCH, May 21. An elderly man, Jack Wilson, o± Bath Street, who was picked up at the corner of Bath and Colombo Streets, suffering from head injuries, at 4.20 p.m. yesterday, died in the hospital at 11 o’clock last night. It is thought he was knocked over by a tram.

GUILTY OF MANSLAUGHTER INVERCARGILL, May 20.

After a retirement of three-quarters of an hour, a jury in the Supreme Court to-day returned a verdict of guilty against William Lawrence and James Mann on a charge of manslaughter, with a recommendation of mercy for Mann. Mr. Justice Kennedy remanded the accused in custody till Thursday for sentence. He said he would pay great attention to the jury’s recommendation.

ESCAPEE RECAPTURED .AUCKLAND, May 21. Recaptured shortly after 10 o’clock to-day, Robert John Mann, 25, motor driver, the prisoner who escaped from the Auckland Hospital last evening, was brought before Mr. Levien, S.M., in the Police Court, and was remanded until Thursday next on a charge of escaping from lawful custody. He was handcuffed to a constable in the dock. Mann was recaptured by DetectiveSergeants Kearney and Brady, at Western Springs. AUCKLAND BAPTISTS.

AUCKLAND, May 20. An urgent call to the pastorate of Collins Street Baptist Church, Melbourne, has been received by the Rev. Dr. Alexander Hodge, of Auckland Baptist Tabernacle. The vacancy has arisen because the services of the present pastor, the Rev. Reginald Kirby, have been claimed by the Army. This is the third call to other churches Dr. Hodge has received in recent months. Collins Street is regarded as the leading Baptist church in Australia. Dr. Hodge’s name was the only one considered and the call was unanimous.

Dr. Hodge came to Auckland from Leytonstone Church, London, over seven years ago. He has not yet announced his decision regarding the Melbourne call.

SOCIETY OF FRIENDS. WELLINGTON, May 20

A general meeting of the Society of Friends, New Zealand (representing Quakers from all parts of the Dominion), has been held during the last four days under the clerkship of Mr. Philip J. Thorne, of Christchurch. An increase of 4 per cent, in membership was recorded. The reports revealed a wide sphere of active religious and social concern, recently extended by joining the National Council of Churches and the campaign for Christian order. The meeting made plans to increase the society's support of the Friends’ Service Council (London), which still keeps contact with Quaker -centres in conquered Europe and maintains relief work in China and India.

The following minute was adopted: “Amidst the increasing dangers of the war, our hearts go out to our fellowmen and women for the fears and sorrows that disturb them; yet believing in Christ’s way of love we are convinced that war cannot be God’s way to a better world, and we reaffirm our testimony against all outward wars and strife.”