MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 September 1923, Page 1

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. ANOTHER MURDER TRIAL. LONDON, JSept. 19. Herbert Fryatt, aged 20, was indicted at Old Bailey for murdering his wife. Mr Leyton (Counsel for the Defence) pleaded that it was not Fryatt, but an evil spirit, that did the deed. He was possessed of a deril, which was an oldtashioned, hut perfectly accurate description of epilepsy. The prisoner broke down in the box, and cried that lie loved his wife truly. Justice Swift said:—“dry not to distress yourself. A'ou have nothing to worry about 1” Fryatt continued: “Suddenly 1 found myself trembling all over, and lost consciousness. AVlicn I awakened, I found my ttife dead. I knew I had killed her. At once 1 got some spirits of salts that my wife used in cleaning clothes, and drank some.”

A doctor gave evidence that tlie prisoner had committed the deed in a state of epileptic, automatism. A verdict was returned that accused was guilty, but insane. A CRIMINAL'S ACTION. ADELAIDE, Sept. 20. Alter previously serving a lengthy sentence for attempting to kill his wife, a- man named Rolfe into Iter in the street, and assaulted her, wounding her in the head. The woman was removed to the hospital. Next day Ilolfe visited the hospital, and fired five shots at his wife lying in the lied. The doctor and hospital attendants, after a long chase, captured Rolfe. The woman is in a critical condition from her wounds. A DANISH EXPEDITION. COPENHAGEN, Sep- 19. An expedition led by the Danish scientist Coeh, lias returned from Northern Greenland. The expedition left in July, 1920, and made its base 125 miles north of Thule, in latitude 78. It carried out exploration over an, extensive area, and experimented on the utility of motor tractors on the return journey to the base. The iood supplies ran out, and the members sulferetl considerable illness. In a dash for the base, a distance of 3750 miles was covered in 200 days. The base was reached just in time, the food being exhausted. Twelve out of their 14 (logs were killed and eaten. MR JULIAN GRANDE’S ARTICLES. COMMENTS BY “ TELEGRAPH.” (Received tins day at 10.10 a.in.) ~ LONDON. Sep 20. The “ Daily Telegraph,” commenting on the series of articles on New Zealand by Mr Julian Grande, which it has just concluded, says that if New Zealanders have a grievance its citizens of the Empire, it is that, even to-day, so little is known of their wonderful land. The British public hardly realises that in New Zealand there is room for some two million more people. With vast possibilities for further development as tt centre of British life and culture, the creation of a modern New Zealand is among the prodigies of the British colonising genius. Its Prime Minister comes to the Imperial Conference as a representative of one of the soundest and best ordered communities built up by the British race. ENG LISII P 1 LGRLMAGE. LONDON, Sept. 20. The "Daily Express” states 450 men, women and children, including 70 invalids, have arrived back in London from an English pilgrimage to Lourdes j n France. The sufferers tried to smile bravely, but some wore returning from a third and fourth pilgrimage uncured. No cures wore reported among this year’s English pilgrims.

MR I,LOYD GEORGE’S BOOK

LONDON, Sept. 20

Mi- Lloyil George's liook entitled “Is it Peace r" is being published next week, anil eimlnins an important and previously unpublished statement- on the Reparations. TRIBUTES TO lIEROISM. LONDON. Sept. 10. Tributes to the heroism of the Trevessa survivors were paid at Lloyds, where medals and eherpics tor £OOO and £2OO respectively were presented to Captain Foster and Chief Officer Smith. The chairman, Mr St urge, in making the presentation, said theirs was a deed that was peculiarly Urilish. It '"'as not momentary heroism, hut an effort sustained over a long period. Captain Foster and Mr Smith were visibly affected. In replying, the former said: “The people ashore evidently- thought, more of the feat than ourselves.” After the presentation, the famous Lutine Dell was rung in honour of the crew. THE LTMERTCK CASK. SYDNEY, Sept. 20. fii the Limerick shipping case. Admiral Clarkson gave evidence that with a view to maintaining the transport of the Broken Hill companies’ products the stoppage of which meant rendering idle 10,000 men, he had recommended the management of the steamers Bright Wings and Bronze Wings to be left in the hands of the Scott Fell Company 1 localise they could run them much more economically than could the Government. In reply to finest ions, witness said he took good care the Scott Fell Company did not make excessive profits out of the vessels, and that there was no loss to the Commonwealth. lie denied Mr Scott Fell over pressed him to put Governmental powers into operation to the advantage of him. Plaintiff’s counsel stated Mr Scott Fell had made only £SOOO over the contract for the vessels, and not the huge sums alleged. SOUTH AUSTRALIAN RAILWAYS. ADELAIDE. Sept. 20. The railway year ended dune last, showed a small surplus on working th® first surplus for some years in South Australia. SYDNEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SYDNEY. Sept. 20. Sir Mark Sheldon has been elected President of the Chamber of Commerce, vice Mr LTenty, who retired for health reasons.