CABLED ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 12 February 1938, Page 6

CABLED ITEMS

MAN SWEPT A MILE

CROSSING FLOODED CREEK

COWRA. Jan. 31

Attempting to cross a flooded creek in a lorry, a man was swept down nearly a mile, and narrowly escaped drowning.

The lorry and its load were carried about half a mile.- downstream.

Driven by T. Whittaker, rabbit-car-ter, the lorry was half way across Neila Creek, when, the engine stalled.

InJus.. struggle to keep his.head above water, Whittaker took., off. ni.s eoat-, with £4O in the.pockets, but had to let it: go.

Eventually lie managed to. clamber ashore.

A. friend of* Whittaker’s found the. coat, with the money intact, in some reeds.

HUNG FROM TItEE BY WRISTS

MAN TARRED AND. FEATHERED

CAIRNS, Feb. 1

Cries for help led to tire discovery of George Davis hanging, from the branches of a tree, by a rope bound around his wrists.

Davis is a Well-known cane-farmer and a director of Babinda Co-operative Mill Co.

He was found in the scrub four niffes from Bar tie Frere at about 11 p.m.

Davis, covered with molasses and smeared with feathers, had been hanging from the tree for about an hour before being rescued. It is reported that at about 8.30 p.m. Davis was about to retire at his home at Bartle Frere, 'when he heard his name called from outside. On going out he was tola that lie was wanted urgently on the phone at a neighbour’s place. ATTACKED FROM, BEHIND.

After going a certain distance, he was attacked from behind by two persons who had handkerchiefs tied over their faces.

His teeth were smashed, and he suffered severe bodily injuries.

A wooden gag was placed in his mouth. His attackers then bound his wrists with rope, placed him in a motor car, and drove about four miles to Niven’s Scrub.

Rope was then placed over a branch of the tree, and he was pulled up and then beaten with sticks.

HEARD CRIES FOR HELP.

People residing some distance away heard his pries for help.

When they peached the scene they found Davis in a half-dazed condition.

Police and ambulance were notified, and Davis was taken to Babinda Hospital. Later he was allowed to go home. It is believed that his attackers were two, Australians.

Police are investigating th? occurrence. A CRACKED RESERVOIR, VILLAGERS AFRAID OP BURSTING LONDON, Jan. 31 Fearing that a reservoir might burst and release a Hood of 200,009,000 gallons qf \yater, 4003. “Welsh miners have refused to work.

Sharing their alarm, hundreds' of residents of Beaufort, near Ebbwvale (Wales) refused to go to bpd last night. Concern was caused when a crack developed in the BJaenycwn reservoir after heavy floods. Many living beneath the reservoir were warned to evacuate their hollies, and subsequent official assurances that there was no danger had no effect. Police and firemen are standing by

■ it, and day ready to mine one sick of the reservoir and release its water into a natural channel should an emergency arise.

Opening the slpices failed to relieve the pressure, so great is the intake, but channels cut in the upper part of the walls have lowered the. level 20ft.