MISCELLANEOUS.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 December 1919, Page 3

MISCELLANEOUS.

(By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) FIRE DETAILS. LONDON, Dec. 26. The Newcastle fire broke out in a film depot, following an explosion of celluloid. The flames leapt up the well of a lift to the top floor. Twelve girls employees died. Five members of a Cardiff family were burned to death owing to the collapse of a bedroom into a blaze beneath. SPANISH ROYALTIES. v MADRID, Dec. 26. ■ King Alfonso and Queen Victoria sail for South America in June. • FRENCH PRESIDENCY. PARIS, Dec. 26. The election of President Poincaire’s successor, according to the press, is fixed for January 17th. M. Clemenceau is believed to be a candidate despite his denials.

A 24-HOUR CLOCK. LONDON, Dec. 26. The Government committee decided to recommend a 24-hour clock. INTER ALLIED EXHIBITION. . ' PARIS, Dec. 24. The Senate has decided to organise a great inter-Allied exhibition to be held in 1925. POLICE REPORT. LONDON, Dec. 24. Sir Nevill Macßeady, Police Commissioner, in his annual report states that ordinary crimes, for example, burglary and housebreaking, during 1919, show a decrease compared with 1913. Robberies are now performed by experts, and there is much use of motors rendering arrests more difficult. Murders and violent attack have not increased, tut similarity of method is a sensational feature, and has attracted abnormal attention.

EGYPTIAN SITUATION. LONDON, Dec. 24. The Australian; Press learns ( that the situation in Egypt since the of Lord Milner’s commission is steadily improving. No untoward events have occurred with the exception of one or two minor incidents, in which British soldiers were a kicked in the streets. Despite the efforts of the agitators, the people are becoming less incline! to view the mission with suspicion, although its actual work has not yet commenced. A large number of Egyptian notabilities, some of whom are of pronounced Nationalist views, decline to boycott the commission as urged by the agitators. On the contrary, they have intimated their readiness to give evidence.

JOHN ROBERT’S DEAD. LONDON, Dec. 25. John Roberts, the noted billiard player Is dead.

GALES AT SEA. LONDON, Dec. 25. Gales are raging in the Channel and the Atlantic. Casualties are reported, principally among lighters, a dozen of which were wrecked on the Belgian coast and several crews were lost. An unknown freighter has foundered with all hands. THEFTS IN LONDON. LONDON, Dec. 25. The “Daily Chronicle” states there has been an enormous increase in thefts .at the London Docks, especially of wines and spirits. There have been 1260 convictions in 1919, and yet the police say that only one in every dozen offenders are caught. GERMAN LINER. LONDON, De.c 26. The Government are placing the Nord Deutscher Coy’s steamer “Berlin” under the P. and O’s management. They will use her for the Australian Indian passenger traffic. The Berlin was early in the war, equipped as a commerce raider and as a mine layer. She laid a minefield that sank H.M.S. Audacious. Then she ran short of coal and was interned in Norway.

YOUNG JAPAN’S WANTS. (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) TOKIO, December 25. A Committee of young men. waited on Count Kara (Premier) requesting ,lis views o*l universal suffrage. They pointed out mass meetings were being held throughout the country demanding Government grant universal suffrage. Kara replied that he could not give an off hand answer as the question was too important.

A SENTENCE. (Deceived This Day at 8 a.m.) PARIS, Dec. 25.

An Amiens courtmartial sentenced Robert Royjing, a German officer and manager of an important German factory, to ten years solitary confinement for organising during wartime, a systematic destruction of French steel works at Briey. Defendant’s brother was similarly sentenced in his absence. The evidence proved that they were working In their personal interests and not under instructions from their Government as the defence alleged.

FRENCH FINANCE

(Received this day at 8 a.m.) PARIS, Dec 25. Selotz, in an interview, said that the Frencli budget for 1920 would consist of two part#, an ordinary budget to be met by customary sources of revenue, while the extraordinary budget would bo met by loans and indemnities. Government, said it was decided to force Germany to immediately carry out her obligation to the letter: French taxes will be raised fifty per cent.

JOHANNESBURG, Dec. 26. One of the most pwkward strikes on the itand was ended 'by the decision of Simmer Deep strikers to resume work pending a decision of an independent hoard regarding employment of enemy subjects. The decision is awaited with intense interest as affecting the question of preference of enemy subjects over returned soldiers. DOCK STRIKE. CAPETOWN, Dec. 26. The dock strike is easier. > Strikers evicted from the docks, other native labourers coming in. Many vessels have- been diverted to other ports.

; GERMANY AND HOLLAND. ((Received This Day at 3 a.m.) AMSTERDAM, Dec. 25. German-Dutch negotiations regarding supply have opened at Hague. The question of Holland granting Germany a credit will also be discussed. JAPANESE VIEWS. (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) TOKIO, December 26. Count Hara in a statement said we are prepared to meet the will of the people, concerning the extension of thefranchise. Government faces other difficult problems including the food question. Foreign diplomacy especially regarding China and Japan needs careful propaganda abroad in order to correct the misunderstanding of Japanese aims. I am convinced that Japan is advancing with the rest of the world.

JELLICOE VISITING. (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) RIO DE JANIESRO, Dec. 26. The Minister of Marine has been advised that Admiral Jellicoe will arrive at Pernambuco on January 19th and will visit Buenos Aires. THE NEW PRESIDENT. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) PARIS, December 26. Marcel Huten learns that M. Clemenoeau will be elected President witb a majority of 750 votes. M. Millerand will become premier and M. Poinoaire will probably join tile Cabinet as Minister of Finance.

A SEA TRAGEDY. * (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, December - c . A Deal lifeboat, responded to diftro«s Signals last evening anff searched throughout the night our in..' a gal-, ffhe crew of the lifeboat ” nn 1 a large quantity of wreckage su jesting that a ship had foundered after a collision or broke up on the Goodwins There was no trace of the ship’ eri.'".