NEWS BY MAIL.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 January 1922, Page 3

NEWS BY MAIL.

WOMEN CUSTOMS SEARCHERS. BRUSSELS, Dec. 2. The Belgian Government has decided to create a corps of women . searchers who will make surprise visits to frontier stations and subject women passengers in trains coming from Germany to a down-to-the-skin examination. This decision has been taken because of the ever-increasing abuse of heroin and cocaine in this country. By the law of October 1919 the importation, production, manufacture, and sale of stupefying drugs of this variety, excepting for medical purposes, is forbidden. These drugs are manufactured in Germany for the most part and brought into this country by young women.

With some dresses the task of the Customs officer will he very difficult. A dress with extensive panniers or a crinoline skirt will offer opportunities for concealing large amounts of drugs. An increase in the abuse of drugs lias coincided with anti-gambling and Pussyfoot legislation in Belgium.

GIRLS MOB THE DUKE OF YORK LONDON, December 2.

Laughing as though he thought it great fun, the Duke of York made his way through crowding ranks of pretty girls prettily dressed, whon he appeared as their new patron among hundred of members of the Early Clo°:ng Association at a conversazione in the Drapers’ Hall, Throgmorfon-strfet, E. C., last night. He was all but carried off his feet, for the girls, laughing and cheering and clapping their hands in happy excitement, surged before, behind and beside him as lie entered the reception hall and tried to walk to the concert room.

“He’s here! Hurrah for the Duke!” they cried, and after trying in vain to conceal his blushes behind his hat, the Duke at last gave up the attempt and turned dancing eyes on the over whelming force arrayed against him. Presently stewards succeeded in clearing a space where, standing with a s ort of bodyguard of girls at his back, the embarrassed Duk; vas photographed with Mrs Winston Chuic—hill and the Duke of Sutherland who came in the stead of Mr Churchill, the president of the association. “A JOLLY CROWD-’ Many of the girls screamed playfully at the* flashlight, whereat the Duke turned and laughed heartily at them. “AVliat a jolly crowd!’” he exlaimcd to those about him, when finally lie was seated in the concert room. “How wonderfully happy them seem! I’m so glad I came.” He stayed to hear a song and the sallies of a “funny man” and after assuring everybody of his delight at the warmth of their welcome and of his interest in the association, ho prepared to depart. He found the retreat just os difficult as the advance, however, and it took him quite a long time to reach the stairs and his waiting motor-car. Gills followed on his heels and all round him all the way—some even ran to see the last of him through the windows of his car.