MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 November 1923, Page 1

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION J!EXZINE EXPLOSI OX. DISASTER OX STEAMER. PARES, Xov. 12.3 A disaster on a steamer is reported front the south of France, it was title to an explosion which happened on lioanl the steamer Ottorburn, when she was lying tit- the outer breakwater of Marseilles, ready for departure, at daylight. It- resulted in over twenty deaths. The Ottorburn was bound from Barcelona to Xew York with a cargo of cotton goods, chlorates and benzine. There were three explosions in quick succession at one o’clock in the morning. Dense volumes of smoko arose and the Oltefburn became quickly enveloped in iiames, The port authorities in response to wireless (tills, ,-peedily sent, out motor amichesam] floating fire engines. None if the firemen, however, could hoard

the steamer as she was hunting fiercely amidships, white aslerii the (lames were ma-t high. The decks of the steamer were glowing red hot. Tin l lire fighters were just ready io bomb the ship and sink her when a motor launch reported that some members of the crew were clinging to an anchor chain, ami others wore perched in the hows. As the fire fighters could not approach any nearer, they shouted to the survivors to jump into the sea. This t hey did and tventy-ttiree wererescued. Several dead bodies were later picked up. The fire partially burned itself out, and then several firemen were aide to go on hoard the -hip. The forward 'tween deck, however, still remained a roaring furnace. Two charred bodies were picked tin at the bottom of the bridge ladder. Later it was stated that, there were fifteen stowaways a lioanl the steamer, hoping to gel to America, and nil of thorn perished. Some quarters at tribute the lire to the presence of (lie stowaways, suggesting that they smoked in their hiding places below.

OP FENS LAN l)'S LOAN CONVERSION. LONDON, Xov. “I. Tile “Daily Telegraph's" city editor, commenting on Kir . Caird’s speech on Queensland's local conversation of Thursday, .-ays:- “It is all to the good Hail the Queensland Govoriuneul should he reminded periodically that, it cannot heat faith without incurring the consequences. Premier Treodoro certainly did not understand the position when lie said that, as the result of the agitation in London the Queensland Government might he forced to pay one per cent more on its loan .shortly falling due: hut, since lie realise- the position, why does lie not try to remedy it. and get rid of this blemish mi Queensland's good name.'' HUNGER STRIKE FAILS. •'"Till-: Tie ks" Skhvice.] DUBLIN. Xov. A'!. Republican prisoners have finally abandoned the hunger -Dike.

\ ( nl if'] 1 >!•’( I-HUY I .ON DON, Nov. d-’S I Ihe House oi Lords awtirded the Standard Oil Coy. of New York f: lli Vd.'io sterling damages against the (dan Line steamers for the loss of cargo aboard the ( laiigorduh, a turret built ship, which turned turtle and said; on i hi• voyage form New York to China. The Standard Oil Coy. was originally awarded I'P'-diOO sterling by the Lower Court of Scotland, but the Court of Sessions upset idle judgment, which the Lords have now restored with an increased award. P.OI LKI! M AKHi’S HKSCMF. LONDON. Nov. I'd. A ballot, among boilermakers resulted in a majority in favour of acceptance ot >tlie settlement on Nov. Kith. Work will he resumed on .Monday. OCX RENNER FIN FI). VAXCOEYER. Nov. dd In the Fnited States Court. Captain Keorney mentioned on duly 12th, was eunvicied on a charge of gun running am! was sentenced to a line of two thousand live hundred .Mexican dollars. COLONIAL LOANS. LONDON. Nov. NS. The South Australian loan of two million live per cents was offered at Id!" with a onrrenev l!>.’i2-12. A Tasnmnian loan of L' I,loll,11!)() on tlie same terms. Both loans are underwrit ton. A All I.LIOXAI I! If BACHELOR. LONDON, Novenjlier do. dim late .Maurice Marcus, of Kedhiil. Surrey, was om-e a po'or man hut left over three million sterling, ol which a million goes in death duties, lie was a bneheuor. aged seventy-eight. Local people were aware that Alar.-us was ri' li but were astounded to learn of his gteat weaitb. whirl), it appears, was mainly amassed in South African diamond companies and hanking. None '■'•'ere more surprised than It is sisters who had no idea that their brother was even a millionaire. Alarms left generous hc-que-i- to his lelatives amd eliarit ies, j a paxf.sk NEWS. TOTCrO, November 2-1. The Government lias derided to advt’iue to thr insurance companies approximately two hundred million yen to enable them to cover ten per vent of their earthquake lire losses. The interest rate will be two per eem. The eompanie-. as security, will organise a guild w hereto each w ill subscribe a certain amount towards a sinking fund for tie- rej aymeiit of the loan. Cabinet approved of the reconstnietit hi scheme under which the money needed to rebuild the destroyed areas will be laised by dome-tie loans and w ill lie expended over a period of -ix years. PROLONGED '(.)! AKE. TOKIO. November 2d. There has been a sharp earthquake of long duration, the centre of which was about do miles southwest of Tokio. It lasted tor 11 minute-. The quake Lightened the populace who rushed into the streets in dread of a resumption of Septembers devastation. The .Seismograph, however, indicated that the feats were unfounded. SMOCK aT GISBORNE. GISBORNE, November 2d. A slight shock of earthquake was experienced here at 6.-10 o’clock to-night.

A CHAMPION COMING. LONDON. November 24. The noted swimmer, Arno Borg, sails to-day in the Moldavia for Australia. Ho stated to an interviewer that his suspension, which was imposed owing to his non-compliance with military orders, expires next week, lie is looking forward with confidence to meeting Charlton. During his recent visit to Spain Borg covered half a mile- in 637 seconds, but it was done in a forty yards baths, which cannot he accepted as a record. His (109 1-10 seconds for the distance, registered tit Gothenburg in August has, however, boon passed ns a world record. IMMIGRATION. MONTREAL. Nov. 23.

The Montreal “Star’s" Ottawa correspondent indicates that Canada will soon become a livolv competitor against Australia for immigrants, because she needs settlers to develop the country. The Dominion immigration Office estimates that 125 thousand immigrants will have entered at the close of this calendar year. The Immigration Office, however, says that a disquieting fact is that Canada's exodus exceeds Iter influx. It i- for this reason that the Government

is planning an intensive campaign to attract, British settlors. The Immigration Department- is endeavouring to secure a reduction in the .steamship late-, on which question, the companies have not yet committed theni- !■ elves. The Government further inlit;kls to remove all tho entrance re--[notions, ami to defray the parents’ outlay on their children's passaegs. The officials hope, hy this means, i hat the influx in 192:1 will he tripled. RHODES SCHOLARS. LONDON. November 21. The Rhodes Scholarships report for the year 11)22-23 gives the following results, as affecting New Zealanders:- Final honours, tirst-elass in Natural Science, Mr McCalluin ; second class honours in Modern History, .Mr Airly, and Mr Richmond; second class honours in ’theology. Mr Ryhiirn. The following appointments hare been made:—M . Jones. Demonstrator lo AA’ykeham, Professor of Physics.

CHURCH APPOINTMENT. LONDON, Nov. 23. The Rev Cyril Bardsley, Hon See. of the Church Missionary Society since 1910. has been appointed to the Bishopric of Peterborough. GIFT TO DISCOVERER OK RADIUM. PARIS. Nov. 23. The Government tabled it hill granting Madame Curie a pension of forty thousand francs as a national reward on the occasion of the 2otli anniversary of the discovei'v of radium.