DOMINION ITEMS

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 November 1943, Page 2

DOMINION ITEMS

AIRMAN’S DEATH.

WESTPORT, November 21. The inquest was resumed on Saturday into the death of Flying Officer Arthur Keith Hancock, who, was killed when a training aeroplane he was piloting crashed at Westport on October 16. The chief witness was Mr. D. L. Wade, who was a passenger and was severely injured. Evidence showed that the engine stalled at 1000 to 1500 feet during stunting, i The Coroner (Mr. Arthur Taylor) returned a verdict in accordance with the evidence.

TYRE TRAGEDY. BLENHEIM, November 22. Severe head'injuries from which he died five hours later at WairaU Hospital, were sustained by Edward Hodson, 17, when the locking rim flew off a heavy motor lorry tyre he was inflating. . , Accompanied by three young brothers and sisters, deceased took two big tyres on a light truck to an unattended service station. He was removing the air hose connection when the ring blew out with a loud explosion. THEFTS OF PETROL AUCKLAND, November 22. Two petrol thieves were sent to peal for a month, when they appeal ed before the Magistrate (Mr Levien) to-dav They were William Herbert Stephens, 26, and Cyril Williams Walker, 30, both mechanics, who stole four gallons of petrol, the property of the U.S. Government. When they were seen suspiciously near an American car on Saturday night, an American officer called the police who arrested them. Their counsel, Mr W. Meek, said they had foolishly yielded to temptation. YOUTH DROWNED CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 21. A youth. William David Buschl, ot 672 Ferry Road, Christchurch, was drowned at Sumner on Saturday afternoon when he was bathing at the Scarborough end of the beach with two companions. His friends left the surf, and as they were coming out he called out to them that he would be along in a few minutes. There was an easterly wind and a bad unctei — tow. which resulted in his getting into difficulties, and as he was outside the safe area patrolled by the Sumnei Surf and Life-Saving Club his plight was not noticed. ~ Shortly before 5 o clock he was discovered on the beach at about highwater mark by Mr. Hugh Paterson, of Burnham Military Camp. Dr. J. D. Thomson was called and artificial respiration was tried for about an hour and a-quarter without avail.