DOMINION ITEMS

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 August 1942, Page 2

DOMINION ITEMS

MAN GASSED

WELLINGTON, August 14. Shortly before a single man living alone died of asphyxiation on the morning after the last earthquake he replied to workmen of the Wellington Gas Company investigating leaks in a gas main: “There’s nothing wrong inside. Get out.” He appeared to resent being disturbed. Th-is was stated in evidence at the inquest to-day into the death of Alfred le Comte, aged 53, who was found dead in his home, Myrtle Crescent, Newtown, when the police forced an entrance three days after the earthquake. The Coroner returned a verdict that death was caused by carbon monoxide poisoning, saying it was unfortunate le Comte had not appreciated the danger and taken warning.

PRISONER’S RECAPTURE. AUCKLAND, August 14

When Clifford Douglas Keane, aged 27, after being sentenced in the Supreme Court, made a dash for liberty yesterday, the police, it is stated, enlisted the services of a passing taxi-driver, who caught a glimpse of Keane. After the taxi’s search had been abandoned, the driver was going down Anzac Avenue when he saw Keane entering a motor-car. The taxi-driver informed the car driver that he had an escaped prisoner m his car, and advised driving to the police station. It is alleged that Keane had rushed into business premises, saying “I’ve had a motor accident. I’m suffering from conclussion. Can someone drive me to hospital?” One of the firm’s travellers entered at that moment and readily ae'reed. to drive Keane to hospital. When warned, he drove to the police station. a friend .in the back seat preventing Keane' from leaving the car.