TERRIFIC EXPLOSION

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2689, 8 February 1916, Page 5

TERRIFIC EXPLOSION

A POST WAR PROBLEM

MYSTERIOUS FIRES AT SEA

! WAR WORKSHOPS BLOWN INTO THE AIR By Teleirrapli—Press Association—Oojyright (Rec. February 7, 11.5 p.m.) Rome, February 7. As the result of a. terrific explosion in the arsenal at Skod'ra, three workshops which were manufacturing 12inch hydraulic guns were blown into the air. One hundred and ninety-five employees perished.

Br Telerrasli—Press Association—OoryrlK)i t (Rec. February 7, 10 p.m.) London, February 6. The Committee of the Board of Agriculture, which has investigated the question of a post-war land settlement, especially for soldiers who have been disabled; reports its unanimous conviotion that a scheme for attracting a large population to the land in Britain is urgently required. "In view of the State's obligation to ex-ser-uce men, and also of the highest interests cf the nation, it recommends: The immediate establishment of three pioneer colonies in Britain, aggregating five thousand acres, with expert guidance, club-rooms, and women's institutes, and entertainment halls for abolishing tho past dullness of rural life. "The Government should make a first grant of two millions sterling to carry out the scheme. The existing machinery which governs the Small Holdings Act is inadequate for our new needs. Only fifteen hundred applications have been received for land during tho past seven years. The ideal settlement would bo a village community, with one hundred farmers, and others engage dm subsidiary agricultural trades; implements upon hire; demonstrations on the farm and at the jam and cheese factories; a minimum of one thousand acres for fruit and vegetable settlements with a minimum of dairying; mixed holdinjs should have two thousand acres. "Britain's importation of ten trillions sterling worth of fresh fruit in 1913 demonstrated I 'tho fact that she had an opportunity for fruit-farming. Tho rents ought to be sufficient to recoup the Government's capital outlay, the cost of management (except tho salaries of tho staff), and tho cost of preliminary training. The Government ought to train tho disabled . men and give them preference to holdings." LOOKING ACROSS THE SEA. (Rec. February 7, 10.55 p.m.) London, February 7. Sir Rider Haggard, in answering cri'ticisms that ex-soldiers should be settled in England, points out that ten thousand would be the utmost tho British Government would endeavour to deal with, whereas thore would be hundreds of thousands anxious to emigrate at the end of the war.

WARNING FROM THE BOARD OF TRADE. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Rec. February 7, 10.55 p.m.) London, February 7. The Board of Trade warns shipowners of tho cases of fires and explosions on British and neutral ships which suggest foul play. "The enemy's agents display great ingenuity. One case of wood used for packing was treated so as to burst into flames on the slightest friction. Those who handle cargoes in foreign ports must be careful that no tasms interest handles them, 1 '