VERY MUCH EXAGGERATED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 8 April 1924, Page 3

VERY MUCH EXAGGERATED

the prSemester

RUMOUR OF HIS DEATH

Dame rumour is responsible for some surprising results, says the Invercargill correspondent of the New Zealand Herald. This afternoon the sto-rv gained eii eolation in Invercargill that the i’rime, Minister, on bis way from Christchurch to Southland, had suddenly'expired on the south-bound express. The rumour spiead throughout Southland with the rapidity of the wind, and as it. was passed on from person to person was invested with a wealth of detail that gave it every semblance of truth. Flags at Government offices were halfmasted late in the afternoon and this seemed to set the imprimatur of truth on the report- which appears to have penetrated far into the back blocks of oouLhiand. The result was that the newspapers were, inundated with inrjnfries, from all quarters, tho telephones being rung with most exasperating rapidity. it was only when the death of Dr. A. K. Newman was announced as a reason for the lowering of the flags that, the rumour was dispelled, but even to-night, judging by telephonic - inquiries, if is apparent that the rumour lias been given great publicity in the country. As a matter of fact, the Prime Minister is in mid-Canterbury in good health and will not reach Invercargill until Friday afternoon.