LATE MAIL NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 June 1919, Page 4

LATE MAIL NEWS.

SOLENT BOOM REMOVED. London, Apiil 5 The removal ol tlie boom defence which during the war protected shipping using the Solent was completed yesterday. A wire net 31miles in length, stretching froui Egypt Point, Cowes, to Stone Point, on the Hampshire coast, prevented any German submaiine from entering the waterway. Th,e net had a steel wire head and base, the latter being leaded with iron and moored to buoys, for which over 1,000 fathoms of chain and nearly 200 anchors weighing from one to two tons were used. In the centre of the boom was a gateway for the passage of ships, opened and closed by hydraulic winches controlled from t.vo steamers moored on either side. e gateway was only opened by a signal tor the passage of shjps allowed to go westward. At night it was illuminated by searchlight from Egypt Point and Stone Point. It was protected by a batfery pf artillery. £3O POLAR OUTFITS. London, April 5 Major Sir Ernest Shackleton, Director ot Equipment and Transport to the North Russia Expeditionary Force, who has just returned from Murmansk and Archangel, told Reuter’s representative that the troops there were given in-

creased rations, and had clothing and equipment exactly like his own Polar outfit, costing per head. The forces had gone through the winter with a minimum of discomfort. In the whole force there had not been one really serious case of frostbite, and scurvy was quite unknown. “ The comfort of the troops has been equal to if not greater than that experienced by the Allies on the western front.” Sir Ernest added : “ The British public must realise that for the safety of our men and for the honour of our treaties immediate steps are necessary. This is vital. I have lately travelled alone a distance o' of 29S miles along the land route in four and a half days, aud at the present moment troops can reach Murmansk from England in less than a week.

THE ‘ COCKED HAT’ DOUBLE London, April 6. One of the legacies of pyramids and pool, known as the “ cocked-hat double ” (which is in reality a “treble” contact with the cushions), is coming more and more into use at “snooker.” A good, dashing last shot is required. There is always a chance of its coming off if you try and double a ball, anywhere fairly centrally off the facing side cushion, into a corner pocket. But the classical “ cocked hat ” is always “played for” along the topcushion. REV. EVKRARD DIGBY. j London, April 5. •! The Rev. Everard Digby.au Army * chaplain who is known as the “ sporting parson,” is under deteu- ! tion in the Tower ot London. I Mr Digby, who is a vicar of St Agatha’s, Fin.-biry, was near ; Regent-street when, an officer in the ’ Provost Marshal’s Department i stopped him and event rally asked j him to accompany him to the Tower ! of London. It is understood that j Mr Digby has not been formal.y charged with any offence.