MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 31 October 1922, Page 1

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. AIR SOUND TEST. AMSTERDAM, Oct. 28. Tho Dutch Ministry of War at the request of the Dutch meteorological institute and international air commission, exploded five thousand kilogrammes of perchlorate of . ammonium at Oldcrbroek in order to ascertain the peculiarities of the transmission of sound. It is known from war experience that there is often a zone of silence beyond a zone of audibility in the immediate neighbourhood of an explosion, and a second zone of audibility beyond the zone of silence. Observers in Continential countries and England have been asked to note the direction, duration and intensity of the sound of tlie Oldebroek explosion.

BANK SMASH. LONDON., Oct. 28. Tho War Office is giving temporary financial help to pensioners and other army men, whose funds are locked up in McGregor’s Bank, whereof the assets are unlikely to realise more than six shillings in the pound upon deposits. PRISONS REPORT. LONDON. Oct 28. Tho Commissioner of Prisons annual report states sweeping changes are being effected in the prison system, including the abolition of the broad arrow, and substitution of ordinary haircutting for convict .crops; the transfer from prison in civilian clothes, no wires or bars between convict prisoners; improved cell furniture, permission for prisoners to talk at work ; provision of more concerts, lectures, debates, dramatic entertainments, supply of a weekly summary of news, and increase of library facilities. 'I he Commissioners deny that prisoners are pampered, saying that unless their minds are fed to excess, they will he restored to keen competition of outside world torpid in mind and nerve, and (piite unfit to resume their places in society. Nevertheless that the records show an increase in crime and increased receptions to prisons, they are attributed to trade depression and other effects of the war. The Commissioners point out more than nail the increase is accounted for by tho increase in debtor prisoners, chiefly for wife maintenance and income tax arrears. Many men will not maintain a wife, who rightly or wrongly is considered undesirable.

\ FLOGGING MACHINE. LONDON. Oct . 28.

The police raiding a hoii.se at Scotchrow .Belfast, found a flogging machine ami cat o’ nine tails. The place was evidently the headquarters of a secret gang which were carrying out a vendetta against political opponents. The flogging machine was so arranged that when the straps were fastened to the vcitim. lie was brought forward in a stoopfiur attitude for punishment.

SUPPRESSION OF ABSINTHE. PARIS. Oct 28.

The authorities announce the final suppression of absinthe drinking. Its manufacture was prohibited during tho war, hut many imitations have sineo been marketed', having aniseed as a basis. It is now decided that all liquors which cloud when seven times their volume of water is added, will he forbidden. Manufacturers have been given three months to clear their stocks.