MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 July 1920, Page 1

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

(AUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CAULK ABSOLUTION] DISASTER AT VENICE. THE ARSENAL DESTROYED. VENICE, July 27. An, incendiary fire destroyed tin; Royal arsenal, and the damage is estimated at half a million sterling. Only the outer walls, built by Dorn Giovanni Saranzo, are left standing. The people of V enice were awakened by a series of terrible explosions. Terrified, they began to fling mattresses and their choicest possessions from their windows. .Many women, carrying babies in their arms, rushed away amidst a continual bursting of hand-bombs and a fiery hail of pitch and mineral oils. A number of the neighbouring shops and houses were destroyed. But, as dense clouds of asphyxiating smoke still cover the neighbourhood, it is impossible .vet to explore the ruins and ascertain the actual denthroll. THEi MEAT TRADE. LONDON,- July 24. Trade in colonial meat is restrict'd by tli© large quantity of inferior offered, as buyers are mostly refusing to take any but the best. Tho suggestion is made in certain 'punters that the Government would do well to boil down its huge accumulation of stale meat here and in Australia and Now Zealand rather than face the inevitable cost of storage, interest e.-d further depreciation. Tho advocates of this proposal point out that probably tho actual loss on boiling down would be less than the Government could in- ■ cur in holding on. Tt would also enable the expensive establishment of Ihe Ministry of Food to lie dispensed with. This plan would clear decks for the new season’s New Zealand meat, and prevent a further lowering of the repu a t-ion of colonial meat, which alreily has been greatly prejudiced by the marketing of inferior stuff. The Go Tornmcnt holds about (10,000 tons here, and it is estimated that at the present rate of shipment it will still hold three million carcases in New Zealand at- the end of December. IN EXPLANATION. LONDON, July 28. Downing Street explains that owing to a clerical error in the order paper the word England was used instead of Ireland in Lloyd George’s reply concerning Archbishop Mannix.

SOCIALISM AND LAND. LONDON, July 27. The “Daily Telegraph’s” Helsingfors correspondent reports ■ that the Socialisation of big estates in l>sthonia is proving an utter failure, as none are yielding the Government revenue anywhere approaching the profits mado where the lands were in private .hands. ' This is chiefly owing to the Government employing 25,000 officials, instead of the 3000, who managed the estates before. The elections are in October, and they are certain to result in the return of a majority for the abolition of Socialism. HON McKENZIE FA REWELLED. LONDON, July 28. The Highland Scottish -Societies ol London banqueted Sir T. McKenzie and expressed regret at his departure. Sir T. McKenzie condemned the wool controller for unduly holding up Colonial wool, and enabling Argentine to accept a lower price, whilst ours was withdrawn from sales owing to the controllers placing a high reserve.

A REPORTED CAPTURE. ATHENS, July 20. It is reported that the Greeks have captured Jafav Tayaa and Kirkkilisse. LONDON MONEY MARKET. LONDON, July 27: Bank shares are quoted:—Bank of Australasia 912; Bank of New Sou:h Wales, 21J ; Union Bank, 132 ; National Bank of New Zealand, 122/6; Bank of New Zealand 75] and 24; New Zealand Loan and Mercantile, 100-L _ $ THE NORTH- POLE HERO. (London times service— cop fright] CHRISTIANIA, July 28. The Amundsen Expediton experienced difficulties owing to the defections among the crew, which resulted in delay. Amundsen is doggedly determined to carry on, but the ice -conditions render it doubtful. A LIBERAL VICTORY. (Reuter’s Telegram.)

OTTAWA, July 128. The Nova Scotian elections resulted in the re-election of the Liberals with a majority of seventeen in a House of forty-seven. A BRIEF' REST. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) NOME, July 28. Captain Amundsen will stay here for two weeks, before returning to the Arctic Ocean for his five years’ expetition. A COMMONS QUESTION. (Reuter’s Telegram A , (Received this day at 8 a.ni.i) LONDON, July 23. In the Commons Mr Kenworthy pave notice he will ask the Home fjecretaiy by what authority Archbishop Manmx, a British subject, born in Britain, will he prevented from entering tho United j Kingdom without making any defence.