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Newspaper
Ashburton Guardian
Location
Ashburton, Canterbury, New Zealand
Date
Dec 09, 1909
Page
3
A partly finished gasometer at Freeport Hamburg exploded sending a massive blast and shattering the structure. The largest gasometer, with capacity 200000 cubic metres and 40000 metres of gas, blew apart killing seventeen and leaving others missing. The gasworks, valued at 14000000 marks, lies in ruins.
Details from the East bound steamer Onga La Seyne wreck. The French vessel sank within five minutes after collision with La Seyne. Captain Conailhoe died. many crew and passengers drowned or were mauled by sharks. Twenty eight native crew and fourteen native passengers were rescued. two hundred bags of mails lost.
Sydney reports the Lumpers Union declaring a strike as Parliament debates coal policy. Unrest among wharf laborers grows with calls for resignations of members in naval or military forces. Government hints at possible state control or import from abroad to avert a public coal famine while mediation schemes face resistance. Melbourne notes the Assembly passing a bill to establish a state coal mine.
In Wellington on December 9 scarcity of miners hampers operations as local colliery reps fail to hire all needed workers. The Blackball Company could employ about fifty more men, while additional miners arrived from Sydney aboard the Marama yesterday.
C G Thurston and Mary Jane Thurston faced charges for heaping liquor for sale in a no licence district. The prosecution alleged orders placed under fictitious names and receipts bearing false names. Thurston pleaded not guilty, later admitted guilt on liquor for sale. Mrs Thurston was dropped from the case as she was said to be dominated by her husband. Thurston had prior conviction and £50 fine, plus the maximum three months imprisonment.
By Press Association report from December 9 states the bodies of a man and four others were discovered in the bush at Boudi. Indications suggest a man shot the women before killing himself.
The Ashburton Trotting Club's meeting reports a £1322 totalisator handle on day one with 21997 against last year. Results include Netherby Handicap won by Gladsome, Grandstand Handicap taken by Lenore, Electric Handicap won by Nell Gwynne, and progressive and other harness races with Verax, Dick Fly, Jim Tracey, and Electrocut e among notable placings. Gate receipts and attendance noted along with bookmakers operating.
Hampstead, Seaview, Hinds and Lismore pupils join a special Ashburton train for Timaru outing. About 1100 excursionists reach Caroline Bay with fine morning weather and strong winds forecast later.
The program lists Weber’s Oberon selections, Rickett’s Arcadian Festival, Wilke’s Bote des Papilions, Wessey’s La Somnara hula, Fucik Entry of Gladiators, Pizzicato by Erancheti, and an Intermezzo by Mr A Horne of Christchurch with harp solo. Box plan at H A Cates’s. admission 3s reserved and 2s.
The Phenix Insurance Company of New York is accused of writing off £206,000 by George Sheldon, its late president, for personal speculation. Superintendent Me Hotchkiss notes no examination of Phoenix accounts for twenty two hours.
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