MISCELLANEOUS.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 January 1920, Page 1

MISCELLANEOUS.

(fly Electric Telegraph—Copyright.;

THE 1914 STAR. LONDON, Jan. 8. King George has awarded Hoh A. 11. Asquith arid Hon. Lloyd George, the 1914 star, the British War Medal, and the Victory Medal. SHIPPING CONGESTION. LONDON, Jan. 8. The steamer Ceramic has been ordered to resume her voyage, and it is hoped 'she may be berthed at London on Tuesday. The vessel has been burning fifty tons of coal daily for over a month to keep her refrigerating plant going •

The congestion at Southampton is acute. The port did excellently during the war, but the facilities for dealing with Overseas cargoes are proving utterly inadequate. Ships are constantly ariving with food and wool, only to find they must leave tlieir cargoes rotting in the sheds, or seek another port. The Suevic and Runic from Australia, have thus left to find a less congested port.

ANTARCTIC PLANS CRITICISED. LONDON, Jari. 7. The “Manchester Guardian” states that Dr Cope’s idea of using an aeroplane to reach the South Pole seems to be only a picturesque and dangerous side-show, of which the probable results will not be worth the risks. It will lie a tremendous ordcalto fly over the Antarctic ranges. The deadly danger of a forced landing will he’ always present. Will aeronauts say it is possible! to land on hard ice or uncertain snow on skis?

EASTERN SITUATION. LONDON, Jan. 9. Lord Sydenham, in the “Times” says

he takes the gravtest view of the far Eastern situation. Ho asserts the Bolsheviks’ presence in Central Asia, and their advance in Siberia, and in South Russia constitute a serious menace, threatening an upheaval. The whole position was fraught with the utmost danger. By the irony of fate, the Kaiser’s prophecy of the Eastern peril would lie a reality before long. The inventors of the parrot cry “hands off Asia” might realise there were terrible responsibilities that they had incurred.

ROBBERY IN LONDON. LONDON, Jan. 9. A number of masked men raided the Camberwell New Road Post Office at closing time. Two men held revolvers at the Postmistress’ and assistant’s head ,while a third seized a lmn-

dred sterling in notes and money. The Postmistress pluckilv rushed to catch the man and screamed, until she was struck on the face with an iion bar. The bandits escaped with the money.

A WAR PAINTING. LONDON, Jan. 9,

The artist {Burgess lias completed a picture for the .Australian Federal Government of the fight between the German warship “Emden” and the Australian cruiser “Sydney.”

FRENCH GENERAL CAPTURED LONDON, Jan. 9.

Advices from Cairo states that the Syrian National Volunteers stopped a train in which General Gourand, Chief of the French Staff was travelling, on the Berut —Damascus line. They removed him to the Mountains. It is assumed that the Chief of Staff was proceeding to Damascus to investigate tho recent Baalbek fight. LATE SIR E. BARTON. LONDON Jan. 9. The London newspapers publish sympathetic deferences to the late Sir E. Barton’s death and eulogise his career.

DESTROYERS FOR AUSTRALIA LONDON, Jan. 9. Tho destroyers Anzac, Swordsman, the Tattoo will be paid off on. the 27th. Stalwart and Success, Tasmania and will be recommissioned, with volunteers for service with the Australian Navy.

A MUNICIPAL MATTER. CAPETOWN, Jan. 10. Tho Mayor and several Aldermen at Durban have resigned their seats as a result of tho Council approving of the settlement of the Municipal employees strike. The settlement secures all the strikers’ demands without victimisation and full pay while the strike lasted.

TRIAL OF GERMANS LONDON, Jan 10

Interest has been aroused over the prospect of an early final discision on the question of the trial of Germans on charges of being war criminals. Lbe British Peace Delegation, have left tor Paris. The party of over fifty >ncludes the Lord Chancellor, (formerly Sir F. E. Smith, Chief Lieutenant of Ireland). This fact is considered to indicate that a decision will be now taken in regard to the trial of the Kaiser and those regarded as his war against the trials being held.

A STREET INCIDENT. (Received this day at 9.20 a.m.) CAIRO, January »• Italians are excited over the death of a compatriot musician from Knrsaal who was killed by a. blow from a pick handle while endeavouring to force » cordon of British troops at a crowded crossing. Egyptian agitators are maki,u, capital of the incident and arranged” a demonstration at. tlie funeral. Ihe Dalian Consul General who accepted the British explanation, diverted tho funeral, and avoided a demonstration, hut the Egyntions demonstrated at Knrsaal displaying the Italian flag, and shouting “Down with England. Long live Italy;”

»RAILWAY OFFER REJECTED. (Received This Day at 9.25 a.m.) LONDON, January 9. The Railway Conference rejected the wages offer, which was referred back to the executive for furtlusr negotiations •• itli Government.

PRINCE' OF WALES. LONDON, January 9. The Prince of Wales attends the Australian and New Zealand Club’s luncheon on the 26th. OFF TO PALESTINE. (Received this day, at 9.30 a.m.) LONDON, January 10. Herbert Samuel goes to Palestine at General Alleriby’s instigation to advise on the administration of finance.

WHEAT SUPPLY. (Received This Day, at 9.25 a.m.) LONDON, January 8.

Rathgate Company estimate the world’s exportable wheat of 1919-20 crops at 93,200,000 quarters, where to America will contribute fifty million, Canada fourteen, Argentine seventeen. Importing countries will require seven-ty-two millions.

ANTARCTIC POSSIBILITIES. LONDON, January 8. The “Times” in a leader, while admitting the dangers from mighty blizzards in the Antartic points out that if Dr Cope’s aeroplane are provided with broad skies, a landing on snow probably will be safe, and will be added by perpetual daylight, as the flights will be undertaken in the summer only.

HUGE COMBINES. LONDON, January 8. The “Daily Express” says the trust fever reached a climax yesterday, with five amalgamations of chemical glass and insurance firms with a total capital of 24 millions. Powerful combines now control shipping, engineering, shipbuilch ing, cotton arid motor industries.