DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 May 1924, Page 4

DOMINION ITEMS.

[iJY TEtEORAI’H—rEU PRESS ASSOCIATION. DEPOSITIONS TAKEN. WELLINGTON', May (i. A party consisting of Air E. Page, S.AL, Chief Detective Kemp and the Court Clerk visited the Wellington Hospital to-day to take depositions in the case in which Julia Ihiddlosden is charged with unlawfully using an instrument on a single woman. Lucy Josephine Pope. and a young man Kory I’inny, is charged with procuring Duddlcsden to commit the crime. Lucy Pope, in evidence, stated that accused I’inny was responsible lor her condition. I’inny made the arrangements and witness visited Ruddlesden. who performed the operation. She later became ill. and on the advice of I’inny, admitted everything to Doctor Luke, who ordered her removal to th M hospital. After witness had completed her evidence, the hearing was adjourned, and the accused remanded.

MINISTER'S HEALTH.WELLINGTON, A fay 0.

It is reported that the health ot Sir Jleaton Rhodes, Minister ol Defence, is giving him some cause for concern, and he finds it necessary to take at least one months’ rest from ministerial duties. It is hoped that Sir Heaton will he aide to resume before the session commences. The Hon I). If. Guthrie. Minister of Lands, is still far from completely restored to health, although he continues to deal with official business. There has been some discussion regarding the possibility ol ministerial reconstruction. Some Government members who have visited Wellington consider it is likely to eventuate during the coming session, but that the Prime .Minister is not likely to make any announcement until he has an opportunity of meeting his supporters. FsLV-GROG SELLER. AUCKLAND. May <i. What is considered by the Auckland police to l;e the most daring and extensive ease of sly-grog selling vet revealed in the city was brought into prominence at the Police Court, when Tony Unite (Mr R. Singer) pleaded guilty to two charges of selling Ihpier without a license.

Accused, who appeared on summons, was the proprietor of a restaurant and confectionery shop in Victoria Street.

When the shop was raided on .Monday nielli, two dozen bottles of ale and two dozen bottles of stout were seized. There was also a huge collection of empty bottles, and it was appaient that he had been uncrating on u htrgo scale.

Tlie police noticed that the premises were suspiciously popular in the evening. On one occasion, when constables were watching thirty-six men visited the shop in two hours, and a niimhoi of women also made visit-, in suspicious circumstances.

Sergeant Al'lntyre and Constable Watkins were detailed to keep Raito s premises under observation. Last Saturday and Sunday evenings these two officers entered the shop in plain clothes and purchased several bottles of stout.

“The ease was a llagrant one." sain Senior Sergeant Rawle. "It was understood that since January, accused had made U 503 Iroin the illegal business, Since January a local linn had supplied accused with T>-i dozen bottles of ale. (il dozen bottles of siout. bottles of wine, and n variety o| other liquors and .spirits.”

l.eiieincy was sought by All* Singer on the grounds of accused's previous oood diameter. Jinito had Milfered from ill-health, and had not profiled (imineially by sly-grog selling. Jhlito tins lined Toll on each ot the i loupes. Mr ,1. \Y. l’ointou. S.M. ordered lhat the lii)norIii)nor seized lie <omits eated.

WATCHMAN'S TlMf*. WEbI.IXGTON, May (3. An ambitious attempt to travel in a .small open boat from the steamed Tiikapuna, which for years has lieen mooted in the stream till Kniwnrra to toe Thorndon -breastwork, proved an exciting experience for the watchman this morning. A moderate southerly pale was in progress at B.ld a.in., when F. Hobbs, watchman on the Taknpuna, put otf I rum tile vessel in the hulk boat. Feline any great distance had been covered the inevitable happened. Caught in the teetli of the gale idle small craft overturned and its occupant was precipitated into the water. The man’s plight wtts observed from the shore at Kaiwat'i'a. and later, the harbour master received telephonic advice that two heads/ could lie seen bobbing ill tinwater.

The latineli Cta set out for the spot described and no time was lost in launching a steam pinnace from 11.M.S Hood and the Union Company’s launch I’rinee loft a minute later. The Harbour Board office was advised over the telephone that cries for lit-ilp could he heard the water.

In the meantime a valiant attempt at rescue had been made unsuccessfully by Bonner, of the hulk Prince of Wales. He set sail for the scene of the disaster in the hulk’s dinghy lint the wind diverted his course to leeward. Tn a desperate endeavour to reach the unfortunate man. who was able to keep himself afloat. Bonner proceeded to throw a rope towards him in the hope that ho might secure the end of it. Again the elements nullified tin- rescuer’s efforts and the position gave promise of assuming desperate proportions when a boat from the hulk Helen, sailed by Denny O'. Middloditeh. arriv-

Ilobbs bad just boon dragged, to safety when the Wellington launches made their appearance. They had made a fast journey. The man was attended by Dr. Luke and was able to return i-i the Taknpuna. Tie is a married man with a family.