NEWS BY MAIL.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 December 1922, Page 1

NEWS BY MAIL.

BUNGLING IN AUSTRALIA. SYDNEY, Nov 22. A record of well-meaning bungling i s disclosed in the interim report of the Select Committee which some little time ago was appointed to enquire into soldier settlements in New South AA’ales. So far, only poultry farms are dealt with. That i.s sufficient, however, quite plainly to indicate that many of the- settlers, those whose indebtedness exceeds the value of their holdings, are foredoomed to failure. The chief cause assigned to the crushing mantle of uebt

are tbo inordinately heavy expenses that were incurred in making the .settlements ready for occupation ; big .sustenance payments ; and expensive administration. To relievo tlie settlers tlie Committee lias recommended that the losses should ho written off. The burden will, of course fall upon the taxpayer, but if it is going to give the men n real chance to make good, ho is not likely to grumble about bearing a little more. SPIRITUAL HEALING. CHURCH ATTITUDE IN AUSTRALIA. SYDNEY, Nov 23. Spiritual healing ill the Church lias recently been the subject of investigation by a special committe appointed by the Anglician Synod, and some interesting decisions -have been arrived at. After studying the scriptural evidence for spiritual healing, its history in the Christian Church, and its relalon to psycho-therapy and other nonliiedjeal methods of healing, the committee makes the following recommendations :—• (J) —The careful study of the subject by the cha-gv and teaching upon it to their people, particularly in order that misapprehension as to its nature, scope, and purpose may be allayed, and a sane and intelligent attitude adopted towards it. (2) —That ,iit view of tins forthcoming visit to Australia of Mr J. AL Hickson, and the projected holding of a healing mission by him in Sydney, careful spiritual preparation should be undertaken, particularly In the ease of the sick who will seek bis aid, with a view to the mission bearing file richest fruits. (3) —That when so -loured by the rick the- clergy should, alter satisfying themselves as to the spiritual readiness of the sick person, exorcise the right of spiritual healing either (1) by the laying on of hands with prayer, or (2) by the use of anointing with prayer.

i (4). —The formation in parishes of , croups of tlie faithful, who will uudcitake, either severally or together, - either in .silence or led by olio ol their i number, to pray regularly for the healing of the sick. 1 SYDNEY CONTEST. SYDNEY. Doc 3. i At the Stadium last 'light, Grime, ■ the local featherweight champion, de- ■ leafed Eddie Ramies (America). on points in all iKcellent twenty lounii.1 contest. SAA’IAI IN BURNING OIL.

NEAA' YORK, October 2. How I’rofessoi Edwin Kenmierer and bis wife and two children swam ashore from a wrecked steamer through biasing oil is described by the professor of Princeton University, and a leading, economist, who has just arrived in Non A'ork from South America. Afr Kemmercr and his family weie passengers in a steamer descending the l’arania River when the vessel’s boilers exploded, splitting the vessel open. She was cm vying ■’>.l)9o gallons of fuel oil, which ignited and spread over the water. The ship caught fire. “AA'e wailed on Ira rd,” relates Alt' Kemmerer, “i util if was a question of being certainly burned to death in the ship or possibly swimming through the oil covered water to the shore, 300 yards away. So my, wife, my soil, aged 13 and my daughter, who is Id. slipped over-hoard. I followed. “AA'e are all geod swimmers. and swam under water until we reached a small clear space. Then another explosion covered os with burning oil, and we dived again, making for another clear spot. “All around us people clinging to wreckage were binning to death. Aly wife was seized by a maddened man, but she bridle his grip. Another sprang at me, hut I fought him off.