DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 31 January 1927, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS.

[by TICLEOKAni — I’EU PKESS ASSOCIATION. SHOPLII'TING. AUCKLAND. .January 29. Described as a woman of means, Eileen Mary Williams. 29 years of age, was caught in the act of stealing two pairs of silk stockings from Milne and Choyee’s drapery establishment. She pleaded guilty at the Police Court ibis morning. She also admitted the theft of a dress valued at 19s (id. An assistant detected tho accused placing tho stockings is a bag.

33ie ( hi. Detective said that there were « in the woman’s bouse which I ..id suspicious, but the police could i , ...v a charge in respei— of them. Counsel for the accused said that her husband could offer anyone an explanation that her mind was affected bv a wound oil the side of her bead. Sin- had led a useliil life and bad done a lot of good for the community. The magistrate said he doubted whether be should not make the penalty one of imprisonment, but lie would impose a fine of ten pounds, with the alternative of fourteen days’ imprison-

ment. An application for the suppression of the woman’s name was refused.

VETERAN JOURNALIST PASSES. ROTORUA, Jan. 29. Sir Henry Brett passed away this afternoon at 5.30 at the King George V. Hospital. .His end was painless. Deceased was managing director of flic Auckland “Star” and the “Father of the New Zealand Press.” Deceased was born in Sf. Loonard’s-on-Sea, Sussex, England, in 1813. and at tho age of 19 came to New Zealand with the Albertlnnd settlers in the ship “Hanover.” He had a brilliant career as a shipping reporter on the “Southern Cross” and the “N.Z. Herald” and in 1870 purchased an interest in the “Star” which had been started a few mouths before. For fifty-seven years lie was connected with this journal, and he built it up to its present position as one of the premier evening newspapers in the Dominion. Apart- from his business activities, be filled many important public positions, including that of the Mayor of the City. Tie is survived by Ladv Brett, two sons and two daughters. There are twenty-one grand children, and eleven, greatgrand children.

CYCLE RACE. CHRISTCHURCH. Jan. 31. In a special cycle match race on Saturday, the Australian R. Spears, beat J. Henderson, New Zealand, over a half-mile twice, winning by inches. FARM LABOURER DROWNED. )CH EISTCHUECI f. Jan. 31. John Piggot, a young farm labourer, was drowned in the Hurimui river yesterday while bathing. He slipped into a deco bole.

RAILWAY STATION BURGLED. LEVIN, Dec. 31. Burglars entered the Levin railway station, early this morning and opened the safe by means of explosives, the force of which wrecked the infernal fittings of the office and broke the windows. They escaped with the contents, about £125, half in cash and half in cheques. 3'lie- explosion was heard by the residents in the neighbourhood, but no importance was attached to if.

LAD DROWNED. EKATAUUNA. .January 31. Harold Elsinore, aged 17, residing with bis parents at Newman, was drowned in Alakakalii River yesterday afternoon. He was one of a party who went bathing and while wading slipped off it ledge into a bole twelve feet in depth. He could not swim and bis father rushed to his assistance but could not retain his bold on account of bis struggles and the boy sank. 3'lie body was recovered half an hour later but efforts at resuscitation were fruitless. R.ATANA RESIGNS. WANGANUI. January 31. A follower of the Ratnna movement reports that Ratnna lias now definitely decided to resign from the Presidency of the Church, which be accepted in the first place against bis own wish and partly against bis own judgment. A FATAL ACCIDENT. AUC KLAND. January 31. Francis Joseph Kenney, single, aged 21. when riding on the step ol a motor lorry driven by Gerald llyiin, between Waipipi and Winkn was thrown off as the vehicle rounded a corner. FTe was seriously injured and died within a lew minutes MAX DROWNED. DUNEDIN, January 31. Randall George McDonell, single, aged 31, well known locally in the Labour movemnet was drowned in the Taiori River yesterday while bathing below the West Taiori bridge. Some scars ago deceased was president of the Napier branch of the New Zealand Labour Party.

MOTOR LORRY ACCIDENT. AY ELLI NGTON, January 31. A motor lorry returning with a picnic party broke away while descending a hill at Akatarawa yesterday, owing to the brakes failing and crashed down the hank. Three of the passengers were admitted to the hospital. Mrs Elizabeth Tapp, aged 2(5, suffered severe injuries to her hack and shock. Her condition is reported to lie serious. Walter and Vivian Sielv received severe abrasions and shock.

A AA’O.AI AN INJURED. AUCKLAND, January 31. Miss Enid Comiskey. aged 29. stepping off a footpath to hoard a tram eal in Dominion Road was struck by a motor-car driven by P. R- McMahon. She was admitted to the hospital, her condition being critical. Miss Comiskov was a former nurse in Auckland Hospital. A BOY DROWNED. PALMERSTON N., Jan. 31. A Flock House trainee, AYilliam James Thomas Cox. a recent arrival from England, was accidentally drowned while bathing yesterday in a forbidden part of the Raugitikei river. Shortly before the tragedy, the deceased called for hell), but was only shamming. A little later real cries of distress were heard, hut no sign was seen of Cox. whose body was not recovered until late last night. Deceased was an orphan, with no brothers or sisters.