CHASE ON HARBOUR

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 25050, 14 November 1944, Page 4

CHASE ON HARBOUR

YACHT INTERCEPTED POLICE MAKE AN ARREST An exciting chase, in which the Navy, the police and the military police participated, took .place on the Auckland Harbour yesterday morning when a fast naval launch pursued an 18ft yacht on which it was suspected there was a man who was required for questioning by tbo district military police. The yacht was intercepted at the harbour defence boom, and-an arrest later took place. Information that the man, a civilian, bad been seen at St. Mary's Bay boat harbour was received at the district military police office during the morning. Sergeant-Major G. Lytollis and Sergeant L. Ellis, members of the military police, accompanied by Constable (J. Pentecost, visited the. harbour, but did not find the wanted man. Suspecting that the man might attempt to leave the harbour in a boat, the search party telephoned the caretaker of the St. Mary's Bay boat harbour and asked to be advised of any vessels which moved out. He later advised them that an 18ft auxiliary mullet boat had broken sail and was moving down the harbour. With _ a good wind behind her, she quickly picked up speed. The military police immediately sought the aid of the Auckland wharf police with a view to intercepting the yacht before she left the harbour. Senior-Sergeant J. Soutliworth advised the naval authorities, who sent a fast launch across to the Admiralty steps. The officials on the examination ship at the harbour entrance were also asked to intercept the yacht. Accompanied by Constable K. Fletcher in the launch, Sergeant-Major Lytollis and Sergeant Ellis pursued the yacht, but it reached the boom before they did. The examination ship stopped the boat, which was boarded soon afterward by Sergeant Ellis and Constable Fletcher. They found two men and a woman on board, but dill not find the man for whom they were searching. Conditions on the harbour were boisterous and not suitable for a thorough search. The yacht was towed back to the Admiralty steps by the launch and a complete search was then made. A man •was found in a compartment and was arrested. HEATING IN MINE THE RENOWN COLLIERY SEALING AFFECTED AREA (0.C.) HUNTLY, Monday \ The Renown mine was idle today because of heating which occurred in a section of the mine over the weekend. A collapse of stoppings caused by the surface subsiding is believed to be responsible. The management and the officials of the mine rescue station at Rotowaro are making strenuous efforts to seal off the portion affected and it is hoped that work will be resumed tomorrow. AIRCRAFT MISSING FLIGHT OVER THE ALPS WEATHER HINDERS SEARCH (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Monday A Corsair fighter of the Royal New Zealand Air Force in a flight of four 011 a training flight on Saturday afternoon has been reported missing. The pilot of the aircraft is Pilot-Officer K. B. Barstow, of Christchurch. During the flight the Corsairs Hew over Westport. The weather was deteriorating when they were recrossing the Southern Alps, and one aircraft went missing from the formation and radio contact could not be made with it. The flight returned to Westport as the weather prevented them from continuing the search. An aircraft also stood by at Woodburn, but was unable to proceed because of the weather. Searches were carried out by eight aircraft today without result. Search by land and air will be continued. OBSTETRIC UNIT USE OF WALLACE BLOCK HOSPITAL BOARD'S PLAN For the purpose of establishing an obstetric and gynaecological hospital, the Auckland Hospital Board last night adopted a recommendation that, provided. alternative bed accommodation was available to compensate for beds lost and that the number of medical and surgical beds retained at the Auckland Hospital was sufficient to satisfy the teaching requirements of the medical faculty, the W r allace Block be made available. A report is to be obtained in regard to the proposed reallocation of the bed accommodation at the Ajiekland Hospital.

The medical sub-committee which made the recommendation advised that the Wallace Block was the only building which lent itself to the establishment of such a unit without any appreciable alteration. It was also stated that if the St. Helens Hospital were taken over it would provide accommodation for over 50 beds for convalescent cases.

This decision of the board was mncie in response to a letter from the Minister of Health, Mr Nordmeyer, received in September, stating that it was the Government's intention to establish in Auckland an obstetric and gynaecological hospital to provide more maternity accommodation and also additional , facilities for undergraduate and post-graduate training. The Minister suggested that, until the new unit could be planned and completed, the board might make 80 to 100 beds available in one of its existing'institutions. CITY COUNCIL LOAN SPECIAL RATE LEVIED The City Council lias decided to raise a special loan of £112,000 for the purpose of repaying, to the extent that sinking funds are insufficient, the Zoological Gardens Loan, 1924, of £20,000, the Libraries Loan. 1924. of £16,000, and the Streets Improvements Loan, 1923, of £109,000. These three loans mature in London on January 1 next. At a special meeting of the council yesterday it was decided that the loan should be known as the Consolidated Loan, 1915, and should be raised at an interest rate of not more than 3£ per cent tor a period not exceeding 15 years. • To provide interest and other charges on the loan, the council also decided to levy a special rate of 5-Gd in every pound upon the rateable value of all rateable property in the city of Auckland. This special rate will be payable yearly on June 1 throughout the currency of the loan. CHRISTMAS LEAVE ARMY ARRANGEMENTS The Army has arranged for Christmas Day, Boxing Day, December 27, January 1 and January 2 to be regarded as official holidays for members of the Regular Forces, Temporary Staff and Territorial Force. The position of Expeditionary Force reinforcements who might be in camp over the same period lias not yet been determined. Although the official holidays have been specified for other than Expeditionary Force personnel, it will be necessary to retain in camp and at other establishments such personnel as are required for duty. Instructions have also been issued that as many personnel ,ns possible are to bo given their annual leave before Christmas and after the New Year. Those taking leave on December 28. 29 and 30 will have three days deducted from their annual leave, j