MISCELLANEOUS.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 January 1920, Page 3

MISCELLANEOUS.

(By Electric Telegraph—Copyright ) SLUMP IN SILVER PRICES. LONDON, Jan. 15. There has been a -heavy slump in silver to 79d., and subsequently to 77d., owing to the recent record rise bringing into the market sellers of the metal who believed that top prices had been reached. China is not now a keen buyer. On the market, however, it is generally believed that the reaction is but temporary. INDIAN KILLS WOMAN.

FIJI, Jan. 3.. A murder which is remarkable for its circumstances, was committed on the Wainunu Tea Estate, on the southwest of Venua Levu, Fiji, on Christmas Day. According to the latest mail from Fiji, the facts were as follows: The Manager of the estate (Mr S. E. Martin), and his wife were sitting at their Christmas dinner, when a woman was heard screaming. Mr Martin rush cd to the labour “lines,” or quarters, and 'found a woman dead, although the 1 body was still warm. She was in a fearful state. The murderer had first | cut both wrists, severing muscles and arteries, so that the victim was powerless to resist. Then the jugular and other main arteries" had been cut, so that woman must have • died very

quickly. The woman- lived with Javob Konrad, a tall, quiet and apparently peaceful Indian. Konrad was a Christian, and could speak English well. In his house were found Bibles and religious literature and a medical work, with a clear anatomical chart, which had evidently been studied. Konrad and the woman had lived quietly together, and there is no reason'-or motive for tho murder. When found, Konrad "as quietly washing his hands. He was arrested, and has been committed -for trial.

NEW* FRENCH CABINET. LONDON, Jan. 20. The now French Cabinet . includes four non-members o-f Parliament, holding the portfolios of Finance, Agriculture, Technology and the Liberated Regions. ■ The Cabinet consists of men of considerable business ability, but singularly -devoid, of political experience. The Finance Minister expects to introduce taxes on employment, income, and salaries-, as well as a tax on capital.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE LONDON, Jan. 21

At the quarterly meeting of the Associated British Chambers of Commerce, it was announced that a congress of Chambers of Commerce of the Empire, postponed from 1915, would meet at Toronto on the 7th September. lA motion demanding the withdrawal of all government control over trade and commerce was carried unanimously. The Chambers passed a resolution urging the Government to take steps, without delay, to advance by every means in its power cotton growing within the Empire. It is pointed out that in the year 1919 8,000,000 bales in her own manufactures have been used by America.

POLICE OFFICERS DISMISSED LONDON, Jan. 21.

Inspector Macßeady has issued an order dismissing seven West End constables, and sternly warning the whole Metropolitan F*»reo against slackness and avoidance of duty, which are being punished with extreme severity. The dismissed men were found playing cards in a stable at night time, when increased vigilance was publicly demanded, owing to the large number of unsolved burglaries and thefts. These dismissals and the warning also have attracted widespread attention, owing to thebe being an epidemic of murders and other crime and violent acts which are being committed all over the country. Not one arrest has yet been made in connection with tine murder of five women, two of whom have been murdered within the past week.

PAN ASIATIC LEAGUE. PEKJIN, Jan. 20.

Evidence exists of a Pan-Asiatic League apparently of Japanese origin, with its headquarters at Mukden, and with branches of India, Persia, Afghanistan, Siam and Turkey.

The League publishes a monthly journal, containing articles virulently abusing the white race. The avowed object is to arouse the yellow races in Asia, to win their freedom.

JAPANESE PROCEDURE: (Received This Day a' l 8 a.m.) TOKIO, Jan. 20. It is stated that the diplomatic advisory Council on Obata’s advice, has decided to postpone a decision on the Shautung settlement. favourable ballot. (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, Jan. 21. The first ballot of a fresh vote of moulders favoured a resumption of wqrk,

PARER’S FLIGHT. (Received tin's day at 8 a.m.) PARIS, Jan. 21. After a long delay owing to bad weather, Pa rob lias arrived at Saint Raphael, JUGO-SLAV RELPY, (Received this day at 8 a.m.) PARIS, Jan. 21 v The Jugo-Slavs reply is lengthy, but docs not close the door to further negotiations, but it declines to accept the Italian viewpoint onbloc. It should 1)° understood that Italy lias done something to rolievc the difficult situation, whereas Italy in April was demanding all the territory given hold by the Treaty of London, as well as Fiume. Italy has now abandoned her claim to Dalmatia and was content to allow Fiume and Zara to become free towns, under the League of Nations. LONDON THEATRE PROPERTIES. | LONDON, Jan. 21. Convent Garden properties have been submitted to auction. The bidding did not reach the reserves, and tho only lot sold was tho Bow Street Police Station, which was purchased by the Government for £250,000. Bidding oi the unsold properties was as f°' : - Drury Lane Theatre, £124,000; TVal'dorf Hotel, £149,000; Strand Theatre ' £77.000 ■ Aldwych Theatre, £65,000,

i ITALY’S LAST WORD. PARIS, Jan. 20. It is understood that Signor Nitti to. day demands a final settlement of the Adriatic question strictly on terms of the Pact of London. Signor Nitti intends to return to Rome forhwith, unless Serbia accepts that solution. ITALIAN RAILWAY STRIKE. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) ROME, Jan. 21. ! The strike on the Italian railways is general. A few trains are running, j Some have machine guns mounted on the engines. Troops are guarding the stations.

AGAINST INTERVENTION. (Received this day at 10.20 a.m TOKIO, Jan. 20

A majority of the Japanese are desirous of avoiding further committments in Siberia. The chief newspapers are largely opposed: to intervention, and do not regard Bolshevism as a- peril. They are undisturbed by the possible effects on China. The public regard themselves as immune against the inroads of destructive forces, and those advocating wider military measures are looked upon as agents of the war department.

CRIME IN ENGLAND. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, January 21

Yesterday’s crimes include the murder of an old recluse at Bolton, who refused to deliver up the key of a safe containing two thousand sterling. . The murderer escaped, but failed to find the money. •A van drove up to the Burmondsey Post Office in the early morning and men entered the place and took a safe containing £940- in cash into the van, and drove off. They have not yet been arrested.

Three men with revolvers held up a postmaster in North Hill street, Liverpool, and stole £IOO in Treasury notes and escaped.