DOMINION NEWS

Grey River Argus, 16 August 1944, Page 2

DOMINION NEWS

LEVEL CROSSING FATALITY. P.A. CHRISTCHURCH, August 14. One man was killed and another was injured when the north express struck a motor-truck at the Dromore level crossing this afternoon. Killed: Lloyd Driscoll, aged 21) years, farmer of Seafield, and son of Mr. and Mrs. H. L. Driscoll, Sealiela. Injured: Charles Henry Thomas Hunt, aged 26 years, married, farmhand, of Dromore. employed by Mr. Driscoll. He is suffering from shock, injuries to his back and lower ribs. His condition is now satisfactory. The truck, which was loadeU with lime at Dromore, was being driven oy Driscoll over the crossing, a short distance north of the Dromore station, when it was struck by the front engine of the express just behind the cab and was tossed clear of the line. The driver of the truck and Hunr, who was in the cab with him, were thrown out several yards further on. Driscoll was fatally injured on the head, and Hjjnt, who recently returned from the Middle East, was taken to the Ashburton Public Hospital, after being attended by Lieu-tenant-Colonel J. J. Brownlee, who was a passenger on the express.

SCARLET FEVER OUTBREAK.

P.A. WELLINGTON, August 15. Scarlet fever in a mild form is widespread in the Wellington Central Health District, which extends as far as the Wairarapa. The epidemic started in August, 1943, when notifications jumped from 15 to 60 a month. Now they are much higher, and since May have been approximately 250 a month. Additional hospital accommodation has had to be provided. Children’s wards in the hospital are closed to all visitors. The District Medical Officer of Health states that the type is mild, and that in addition to the cases notified there are undoubtedly a great many more undiagnosed cases or cases treated too lightly, thus leading to far-spreading of the disease. Overcrow'ding of trains, trams and ’buses is, in fiis opinion, another main cause. The closing of schools, he considers, ineffective in that it leads to more general contact with contacts. There have been four deaths since August, 1943.

SHEEP STEALING CHARGE. P.A. AUCKLAND, August 15. Before the Magistrate (Mr. Luxford) in the Helensville Court, Bnc Vivian Rapson, a farmer, was charged with theft on July 6 of 52 ewes and one ram, of the total value of ±92, the property of Leslie Gavin Howie Drinnan. . In evidence, Drinnan said the animals disappeared from his farm at Kaukapalfapa In July Witness nex sXt°r»oMs ered with an oil-like substance. Rapson pleaded guilty and vas committed to the Supreme Court io sentence.