AMERICAN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 May 1923, Page 2

AMERICAN ITEMS.

AUSTRALIAN AND X.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. SIOUX INDIANS’ CLAIM. NEW YORK, May 7. The largest claim ever filed against tho Federal Government has been instituted in the Supremo Court at Washington hv the Sioux Indian Tribe, numbering 25,000 persons, asking for approximately seven hundred million dollars, representing two hundred million dollars principal and the remainder interest, arising from the Government’s alleged confiscation in 1875 of more than eight million acres of land, which was granted to the Indians by treaty with the United States Government.

These lands comprise the famous Black Hills gold lands (in South and Wyoming), which were overrun by prospectors shortly after the civil war. A special Act- of Congress was recently passed to permit the Indians to consolidate all 'their claims and present them against the Government. They have engaged, with the Government’s consent, two of the finest attorneys in the United States.

COMPANY’S ASSETS. OTTAWA, May 8. The assets of the Canada Copper Corporation, including a big mining property at Princ-etown in which six million dollars are invested, were sold under bond-holders’ foreclosure for two million dollars. A big New York bondholding interest was the only bidder. The Granby Consolidated Company will purchase and operate the mines. ’FRISCO LINERS. PROPOSED IMPROVEMENT. (Received this day at 9.25 n.m.) SAN FRANCTSCO, May 8. The Oceanic Steamship Company has completed plans for two 500 ft. twin screw liners, which will be commenced immediately, if United States Government accedes to the Company’s proposal/to renew the present Australian mail contract for ten years at a slight increase in rates. Mr Samuels is now en route to Washington to discuss the contract with the Postal Department. The new ships would ply between San Francisco, Honolulu, Pago Pago, and Sydney, shortening the running time to eighteen and a half-days. Ihe vessels will ho turbo-electric propulsion capable of nineteen knots in ballast and eighteen knots fully loaded, maintaining fifteen knots on a cruising radius of 29,809 miles.