BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 27 July 1921, Page 2

BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS

WJBTP.AJ.IAN ANI) N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION, j MR HUGHES. j LONDON, July 2b. | Mr Hughes was the principal guest j at Ihe Lyceum Club, and the March- j ion (css of Aberdeen presided. ' Responding to the toast of his health, Mr Hughes said everyone expected a new world to emerge front the war. Instead there was the same old world. People were unchanged, and nations were unaltered, except the British Umpire, which was stronger than ever. Dominion representatives were now endeft. vouring to (*emcnt its ties, while Biitisb statesmen were extending invitaions to overseas outposts to share responsibilities.' If nothing else were achieved, security of the Empire was assured. Understandings were reached which guaranteed the integrity of the great world power, and the surest guarantee of pence.

LEWIS GUN PROFITS. LONDON, July 25

The King’s Bench Division is healing claims by the owners of the Lewis gun, for the return of £3,000,000, that was taken as excess profits. They allege that the price they quoted to the Government (£IOO per gun) was a v specially low one, because the Government authorities pointed out that the Lewis Company was a Belgian one, and was therefore not liable for British taxation.

The Crown denies that any such pro : mise was made, adding that it had no official power to grant any one dispensation from British taxation. Colonel Lewis, the inventor of the gun, is a retired Colonel of the United States Army. He gave evidence that the War Office had ordered two guns in 1913, and five in August, 1914. When 4000 Lewis guns were lost in March of 1918, the Birmingham Small Arms Company supplied 8000 new ones within a fortnight. Altogether £13,000,000 was paid for Lewis guns.

A LABOR fracas. PARIS. July 25

A fracas marred the French Trade Congress at Lille. A leader* named Brontehoux was wounded in the neck bv a revolver. Another was beaten on the face with a stick. Others were badly hurt.

N.S.W. LOAN

LONDON, July 26

New South Wales has placed three millions six months hills at 5) per cent interest.

MAURETANIA CATCHES LI It 1

MAMMOTH LINER IN danger

LONDON. Julv 25

A serious fire occurred aboard the liner Mauretania. nt Southampton. Atone time the gigantic Cunaider was in danger of sinking owing to the tons of water the firemen poured into her, but the pumps were manned and the ship righted. The fire commenced in the State room and burned for several hours, the flames leaping to a great height.

AT POM PEL ROME. Julv 21

Important new discoveries of treasures at l’ompei have been made remit ly, as the result of excavations which have been in progress since 190 The discoveries include a number of fine paintings. One of these-depicts 12 custodians and a City House with the remains of a balcony, the iirst floor, and two beautiful porticoes of pergola above our shops. There is also an elaborte bar covered with election posters, and a sacrificial altar with *'••• ashes ol the ,ast sacrifice preserved.

GOLLAX’S HARD LUCK. LONDON, Julv 26

The Wingfield sculls were won by Beresford, Junr. The race was rowed on the Putney to Mortlake course. Half way through GollSn (Leander) fouled Beresford, whose boat was badly damaged, and it finished waterlogged. Gollan finished first in 24 minutes 43 seconds, blit the race was awarded to beresford, on a foul. The latter’s time was 26min 25sec.

BRITISH PARLIAMENT. LONDON, Julv 25

The Cabinet has. decided that t':e session is to end on August 28. There is to he no autumn session unless the Irish business necessitates one.

BIG TRAIN ROBBERY

A HOLD-UP IN FRANCE

LONDON, July 25

The “Morning Post’s” Paris correspondent states: —A wild AYest-Liskc hold up was carried out on the ParisAlarseilles express, when it was travelling at 60 miles an hour, between Beaune and Chagnv at 1.30 in the morning. Four masked men, armed with revolvers, suddenly appeared in the last carriage, which was a : first class one, containing 14 sleeping passengers, including several English people. Iwo of the Bandits guarded the ends ot the coach, and two opened the berths, 'the passengers when awakened, were surprised and helpless. They held up their hands. A French subaltern, realising what occurred, attacked the foremost bandit, who shot the officer dead. His companion, was wounded. The bandits thoroughly looted all the passengers. They then pulled the communication cord, and left quietly when the train stopped. They escaped in the darkness to a motor car awaiting near Chagnv, leaving no trace.

SAIALLPOX IN ENGLAND. LONDON, July 25

A virulent case of smallpox lias been discovered in a crowded holiday train at Nottingham. There are now 15 eases at Nottingham.

1 PARER THE AIRMAN. 1 MELBOURNE, This Day. j Lieut. Parer commences, on the 3rd August, n flight round Australia which ■is expected to cover ten thousand miles and occupy three months, the object being to provide funds to en- ! able Parer to compete lit an International Transpacific flight nest year,