MISCELLANEOUS

Hokitika Guardian, 21 August 1922, Page 1

MISCELLANEOUS

IUSTUALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION KAISER’S BOOK. LONDON, August 19. At Marion, in Illinois, a grand jury has been summoned for August 38 to hear evidence regardirig tho Herrin

massacre. KAISER’S BOOK. LONDON, August 19.

Under the heading “Comparative History” tho ex-Kaiser has published what the “Daily Mail” calls a dull collection of dates with the object of proving that Germany wils not a sheep in wolf’s clothing. The “Mail” states: “The dates are so cooked as to make the hook worthless. It is a dishonest hook and mlist have been compiled by particularly stupid people.”

BREAD FOR BARTER. BUDAPEST. August T 9. Many tradesmen are demanding wheat, instead of depredated currency payment for goods. A suit of clothes costs 3301hs of wheat.

FISH POISONED. ROME, August 19. Many thousands of dead fish aro floating in Lake Lubrino, near Naples, arid are spoiling this lake’s valuable fisheries. It is believed that poisonous gases, escaping through the lake’s volcanic hod, nre causing the destruction.

PUBLIC GAMES ON SUNDAY. LONDON, August 19. The London County Council’s recent decision permitting games on Sunday afternoons has produced a striking social chango in the metropolis. This has been evident on most Sundays, since the decision—unless it has been wet, or threatening. On all fine Sundays games are going in full swing from two o’clock till nine p.m. Over 500 tennis courts and scores of bowling greens are kept continuously occupied. Thousands of boys and youths play cricket. The scenes are entirely changed. Where the parks formerly were solely populated with promenaders and open air orators and preachers on Sundays, they are now quite changed, n*d their appearances is not distinguishable from that, of Saturdays.

Church people continue to make vigorous protests in the newspapers. They are also planning elaborate campaigns in the provincial towns and pities, none of which has yet followed London’s example.

WHIST DRIVES. LONDON, August 19. A present-day feature of London life is the popularity of whist drives. Tonight (Saturday) no fewer than 18,000 players will compete at the Olympia. Kensington, in a whist drive organised by the “Daily Sketch” for 200 prizes. The winner is receiving a sum of £SOO.

DECLINING BIRTH RATE. PARIS, August T 9. The declining French birth-rate is attracting serious attention. The rate of birth taken over each 100 families is now only 166 per annum, as compared with 248 per 100 families in 1913, and 33 in 1865.

The newspaper “L’Oeuvre” declares: “If this rate of decline continues, France will he without people at all in half a century.

.TUGO-SLAV PRINCE. BELGRADE, August 19. The Government of Jugo-Slavia has decided to strip Prince George of all the privileges of tho Royal properties. Prince George abdicated th© throne of Serbia in 1909. He returned to Belgrade recently from abroad. His return s causing trouble. He claims to he the direct heir to the throne of the late King Peter, laying that King Aexander who recent lv married, has no son. Prince George is complaining in tli© newspapers that the allowance which the Government ■.. wants him is not sufficient for his' exalted station.

The Government reply is that his ia-r-onie is su&ciently liberal, arid Prince George’s behaviour is riot what might bo expected from a Royal Prince. The Government warn him that if he persists in his present course, they will he compelled to take action against him. Prince George has replied that he would not he intimidated, and he demands to know what provision his father, King Peter, made for him. Tt is rumoured that King Peter’s will disappeared after his death.

CLAIMS MADE BY EX-PRINCES. BERLIN, August 19. The ex-Kaiser’s fifth son, Prince Osi nr, also the ex-Crown Prince Ruppreeht of Bavaria, and the ex-Duke George of Sax-Meiningen, are claiming pensions from the German Republic. Tlleir claim is made on account of their mfitnry services.

Tlie latter’s claim has been rejected, as he returned from the front on bis own initiative, and not owing to incaracitv for service. The other claims have not been yet decided.

GERMANS BANNED. LONDON,. August 19. Tlie British Association for the Advancement of Science will maintain its Tan against any German scientists attending its forthcoming conference at Hull.

SUVA LIBEL ACTION. SUVA, Aug 19. A Jibcl action brought by prominent citizens, Mr H. M. Scott. K.C., and Sir Maynard Hedstroni, against tho Council of Planters, has occupied the Court for the past four days, and lias resulted in tin- jury returning a unanimous verdict for £2OO damages' and casts.

The jury added a rider that I: , would not give heavier damages because the plaintiffs did not press for same, and also the time was inopportune.

Tho libel was contained in an article written hv the Secretary of the Council of Planters in May Inst, stating the plaintiffs had forced a discontinuance of the local steamer service to serve their own ends.

The plaintiffs are members of the Executive and Legislative Councils of the colony. The case caused tremendous interest locally. The damages awarded are being given to charity.