DOMINION NEWS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2385, 29 December 1908, Page 4

DOMINION NEWS.

" [Pkess Association,]

MAIL DRIVER KILLED

At an inquest on McPliail, driver of a mail cart, who died “om injuries received by falling off a trap, the medical evidence was to the effect that deceased died from concussion of the brain. A verdict was returned that deceased died as the result of afall from a lorry, caused by a difference in the rise and fall of the road.

HOUSE DESTROYED BY FIRE. CHRISTCHURCH, Dec. 28. An eleven-roomed house in Springfield road, occupied by T. J. Hill, and owned by S. Luttrell, was totally destroyed by fire. Mr Hill was away for the holidays, bis wife and family being at home. They left on Saturday afternoon for an outing, everything apparently being safe. The fire was discovered by a passer-by, but owing to a misunderstanding the steam fire engines were late in arriving, and the chemical engines failed to cope with the fire. Nothing except very little furniture was saved. The building was insured for £BSO in the Northern, and the furniture for £4OO in tho New Zealand office. Mr Luttrell bought, the house only five ■weeks ago, from Mr Bewail Brown, headmaster of the Beys’ High School.

MOTOR CAR TRIALS. CHRISTCHURCH, Dec. 28. ' The motor cur reliability trial organised by the Canterbury Automobile Association began to-day, 37 cars competing. They left the. city this ■morning, tlieh first starting at 8 o’clock, for a course over country covering 119 miles. Cars have had fixed for them certain time limits, but the victory will be with ears that, have no breakdown and no unauthorised stops on the road, apart from those caused by tyre.,troubles. The trials last four days. Different kind of country will be chosen each day. The cars will be under the Association’s supervision by officials and observers iday and nighty No repairs or adjustment will be allowed. Thursday’s work will be the stiffest, as .it includes some heavy hill climbing.