MISELLANEOUS ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 March 1924, Page 4

MISELLANEOUS ITEMS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. A DISPUTED EXHIBIT. LONDON, March 21. The “Times” says it now appears there is some doubt whether the letter regarding the free trade exhibit at Wembley was actually signed by Lord I’armoor or merely circulated by the North "Western Free Trade Union, of which Lord Par moor is President. The “Times” Manchester correspondent says officials pf tlic Union declined to discuss the matter and declared they knew nothing of any intention on the part of Lord Parmoor or the Union to drop the suggested scheme of a free trade exhibit A.s far as they knew the scheme was going forward. WIRELESS EX PER I.M ENT. SYDNEY, March 22. An interesting experiment in long distance wireless telephonic communication between America and Australia is being made on Sunday night the COtli March” The Chicago “Tribune” has arranged to 'm-oTucast a three hour speech and a music programme from .its wireless station at Beach Hotel, Chicago. Extra power will be used and a special organisation created in an endeavour to reach Australia and New Zealand. The experiments will bo made between tbo hours of 10.30 and 1.30, New Zealand time. The station call at Chicago is “Siaz” and the wave length is ■l4B metres. Amateur experimenters are requested to listen in. Sir George Fenwick will be among tbo speakers. A DRUNKEN ESCAPADE. SYDNEY, March 21. A man named Joseph Martin was remanded on a. charge of maliciously damaging candlesticks and sanctuary lamps in St. Mary’s Cathedral to the value of £lo sterling. While the service was in progress, the man rose from his knees and stopping over the Communion rail, dragged the altar cloth, and scattered the sacred articles thereon about the building, creating much dismay among the congregation. The police gave evidence that Martin had been examined and was mentally right, but was drunk at the time of tlic occurrence.

COKE STRIKE CONTINUED. SYDNEY. March 22. Coke employees rejected a proposal for the appointment ol an arbitrator to settle the dispute, and the strike continues. GAS HOLDER FIRE. MELBOURNE, March 22. A gas holder at North Melbourne gas works took fire while the electric arc holder was being used for reconditioning work. The flames shot out with a terrific roar and swept across an area of four acres, consuming the buildings in the path. Two million feet- of gas was destroyed. The damage is extensive. . TENDER ACCEPTED. MELBOURNE. March 22. The Federal Government has accepted the tender of an Australian firm for the construction of fourteen locomotives. There were eleven British and nine foreign tenders, all lower than the Australian, blit the Government decided to accept the latter, with a view to promoting an Australian industry.