BRITISH AND FOREIGN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 August 1922, Page 3

BRITISH AND FOREIGN ITEMS.

A STRANGE DISEASE. UNITED SERVICE TELEGRAMS. (Received this day at 10.15 a.m.) LONDON, Aug 19. ■ Seven persons have died in Rosshire from poisoning. The “Times” describing the symptoms, says severa complained of a double vision and others woke seeing double Then sickness developed, followed by paralysis of the throat muscles, making speech impossible, but otherwise not affecting the sensibfity of the patients who were conscious to the end. Sufferers were unable to speak, communicating their wishes and explaining their symptoms in writing. They suffer very little pain. Tho “Daily Mail” state s the illness riesemb'Les nothing so much as a strange disease known as grass fever, which killed horses wholesale in the North of Scotland.

AUSTRIA’S POLICY. “ THB TIMES ” SERVICE. (Received this day at 8.30 a.m.) VIENNA, Aug 19. Hon Lloyd George’s blunt declaration that the Allies would not incur further burdens for the benefit of Austria, ha s acted like a spur. Conditions were recently growing impossible, and Austria has now apparently determined on self help. Following a Cabinet meeting, a communique was issued announcing a wait and see policy must lie replaced by a policy of action. It, is believed the idea is closer economic relations with the Czechs, possibly Jugo-Slavs and generally restoring the economic unity of Danube countries.

TO HELP THE SICK. GENEVA, Aug 19. At a meeting of the Health Committee of the League of Nations, Sir Buchanan announced that Britain would advance one hundred thousand sterling for the maintenance of quarantine and control of the movement of refugees on the Russian frontior. conditionally on other members of the league .subscribing two hundred thousand The C.ommittee decided to recommend the despatch of a Commission to the Far East to investigate the. question of the frequency of epidemics, particularly those constituting an international danger.

SOVIET AND CHURCH. (Received this day at 8.30 a.m.) PETROGRAD, Aug 19. The new Soviet Church at Moscow has cancelled ex-communication of Tolstoy.

LORD NORTHCLIFFE’S ESTATE Received this day at 9.50 a.m.) LONDON, Aug 19.

Ixrrd Northclitfe’s estate is unofficially estimated at four millions, including more than half the company owning the “Daily Mail,” 1 Evening News,” “Weekly Dispatch,” and almost the'entire shares in the “Times” and a big block of shares in a company issuing numerous weekly and monthly periodicals. The payment of death duties will absorb 40% of the estate and necessitate the realisation of much of the assets.

BRADBURY’S MISSION. (Received this day at 9.50 a.m.) PARIS, Aug 19

The “Matin’s” Berlin correspondent states Bradbury’s mission is regarded as an indication that the Reparations Commisson is seeking a means for dispelling the difficulties which delay its decision and has caused optimism ns the conversatons are to he conducted between Commission ami the German Cabinet. It is not believed in German official circles that M. Poincare desires a policy of force, and it is doubted if Ruhr occupation will lie carried out, the threats of sanctions being regarded as methods of! diplomatic coercion npd pdlitical manoeuvre

Exchange on Berlin opened at- 5025 hut recovered to 5450. AUSTRIA'S FINANCE. (Received this day at 10.15 a.m.). VIENNA, Aug 19.

Doctor Dei pel (Chancellor) has. loft on a visit to Prague, Berlin and Rome, in order to confer regarding Austria’s future, the Entente having declined further assistance. ,EN< UN ML LSS AEROPLANE. VIENNA, Aug 19. An engineless aeroplane launched from a peak in Rhone mountains, attained a height of one hundred meters and flew for sixty-six minutes. MINING COMMISSION. (Received this (lay at 8.30 a.m.) CAPETOWN. Aug 19.

It was announced at a Conference which is sitting in Johannesburg, that the mining industry commission enquiry representing employees m „old and coal mining had reached an agreement for the establishment of a Conciliation Board. Speaking at a crowded meeting m the Town Hall, Johannesburg, Mr Hertzog strongly condemned \ > Smuts’ policy regarding Rhodesia as unconstitutional, on the ground that the people of the Union were not consulted and the offer would put Rhodesia in a more favourable position than

the other provinces. THE WORLD FLY. DELHI, Aug. 19. 1 Blake’s o iteration was successful and bis condition is' satisfactory. The sesi plane again refused to rise, having ■> noticeable list. It is being overhauled. MacMillan and Matins hope to continue to-da.v. ! A FATALMDE. (Received this day at 12.25 P-™-) ' ' LONDON, Aug. 20. A charabanc conveying 25 passengers, returning to Ashford, Kent from Hastings, overturned into a ditch filled with water. Eight are dead by drowning or suffocating, an six injured. GERMAN MARK. AMSTERDAM, Aug. 20. Owing to the depreciation of the mark, remittances to Germany are forbidden. ofl BERLIN, August 20. The instability of the currency prompted the teachers associations, to fix a sliding scale of charges, dependent on the cost of bread.