MISCELLANEOUS.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 February 1920, Page 1

MISCELLANEOUS.

(By Electric Telegraph—Copyright )

A CHRISTENING. LONDON, February 10. Tlie Prince of Wales officiated as sponsor at the christening of Viscount Ednam’s son.

SOUTH AFRICAN EXCHANGE, CAPETOWN, February 10.

The question of rates of exchange has become a pressing matter owing to the diminishing gold reserves, and the fact that it now costs 27 j- to bring hack a sovereign to South Africa. Recently the banks stopped credits, resulting in bringing almost to a standstill the export of produce. Trades and banks now announce that instead of about par hitherto ruling, buying rates on London will bo fixed ranging from 4Jper cent for telegraphic traffic, to 7', per cent at 120 days sight. The rea son given is that the banks are obliged to import gold coin at great cost. They appeal to the public to refrain from ex. change operations outside of the banks, to enable the latter to continue financing the trade of the country.

LOAN FOR FRANCE. PARIS, February 11. It is expected tlie Marshal will open negotiations in London for a long term of British credits to France. He is also raising a large international loan to which the neutrals will contribute, for the purpose of reestablishing Froncli industries. Germans will be compelled to repay the loan. GENERAL NIGRA RELEASED. ROME, February 11. D’Annunzio has released General Nigra. A TAXI PROTEST.

•LONDON, February 11

As a protest against increased price of petrol, without the right of increased prices of petrol, without the right of increased fares, tlie proprietors of taxi cabs have withdrawn the vehicles from London .streets for twenty four hours commencing at midnight. A ROWDY MEETING. LONDON, February 12. Griffiths was the principal speaker at a crowded meeting in Albert Hall. It was convened for the purpose of demanding recognition for the Irish Republic. The disturbances began when the chairman said that England was the only country opposing the recognition. A man was ejected after further disturbance. - The Chairman announced that lie had appointed 250 trained stewards to deal with any- disturbance. The .Speaker then moved a resolution demanding recognition. The disorder increased, the stewards attempting to quell the interruptions. The free fight continued until the interrupters were ejected.

ACTION APPRO VIED. (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, February 10

Lord. Chirzon speaking in the House of Lords warmly approved of F.ari Groy’s letter regarding America which he said already had a marked effect on the other side of the Atlantic. If Germany showed a disposition faithfully to fulfil her obligations under the Treaty we would do our best to help her fulfil them. Britain in January had paid off fifty millions of debt out of her surplus revenue.

DELAYED STEAMERS. (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 11. Delayed foodsliips include the Zenlandic, which arrived from New Zealand on 7th December and docked on 3rd January, but has not yet commenced to unload.

CHURCH MATTERS. (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 10.

The Lower House of Convocation rejected the suggestion to allow women to speak and pray in consecrated buildings at non-liturgical services. It was resolved in view of St Paul’s statement on the subject and the Church’s uniform practice in the past, that it was undesirable to grant permission. The Convocation formally farewelled the Welsh bishops. The Primate alluded to the changes in the Convocation, duo to recent legislation operating a few hence. He said it was a cn-eat event in the Church’s history, but tl.cv must face the fact that religious life in England was not "hat it ;,s in the Tudor and Stuart days. Old solutions would not work, yet the dangers to the National Church, under th now system coulcl not be ignored.

ANTHRAX IN BRUSHES. LONDON, Feb. 11. The importation of Japanese shaving rushes is prohibited under the Anthax Prevention Act.

A HEATED DEBATE. (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 11. In connection with the proposal to extend hospitality to the children of Central Europe there was an acrimmou.i debate at Bradford Council, _ as a result of which the Council rejected the proposal. Speakers angrily declared that there wore many children in Bradford who wanted succouring as badly ns the children of Central Europe. Others asked if English children killed in air raids were forgotten. One speaker declared the proposal emanated from the Labourites, who supported the enemy in war time. This caused a heated discussion, until the statement was withdrawn.

ITALIAN SCHOOLS CLOSED. (Received this day at 9.20 a.m,) •ROME, February 11

All the .schools are closed on account of influenza. The average mortality in ninety daily.

KING AND JELLICOE. LONDON, February 11. King George gave an audience to Admiral Jellicoe. They spent a considerable time walking iu the gardens, Ad,miral Jelliooc detailing his Australian, New Zealand and Canadian Mission.

SIGNIFICANT. (Received this day at 9.20 a.m.) LONDON, February 11. # To-day wireless from Moscow contains a significant propaganda urging a full return to work “against the new front of disorganisation.” Red Army men are being transferred from the bat. tie front to tlie bloodless front of labour and reconstruction. The reasonables of work shotild bo inculcated as well as the consciousness of the necessity for intensive work in order to raise the economic conditions of the country.” HUNGARY’S OFFER. PARIS, February 11. Hungary is offering the Peace Conference to provide six hundred thousand men to fight the Bolsheviks, if the Allies will equip them. GERMAN ORDERS. (Received this day at 9.20 a.m.) PARIS, February 11. A German Note states the public prosecutor lias received orders to begin tlie trial of all eases of violation of the laws of war, which come to his knowledge. The German Government and Parliament have resolved not to leave any crime unpunished, hut a careful study of the Allied list of the war criminals shows the handing over of such a large number of Germans is an absolute impossibility.

BRUSH ORDERS TO GERMANY. (Received this day at 9.20 a.m.) LONDON, February 11. . The “Daily Telegraph’s” Brussell's correspondent states it is rumoured that Government is ordering rolling stock from Germany, owing to exchange causing England, and 'America to ask extraordinary prices for trucks.

A SERIOUS FALL. AUCKLAND, This Day. Douglas Davidson, member of the Canterbury swimming team, was sitting on the balustrade of the second floor of tlie balcony of a boarding house when, he overbalanced and fell into the garden. Ho was removed to tlie bos. pitnl suffering severely from shock. MINERS ATTITUDE. AUCKLAND, This Day. It is stated some coalminers in Auckland district are refusing for some time past the wages earned in excess of 15/- per clay. The excess is paid into the common fund in connection with the go-slow policy.