AMERICAN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 March 1924, Page 3

AMERICAN ITEMS.

POUR AND UNIIA[TV. (“Sydney Sun” Cables). [Received this day at 9.25 a.m.) NEW YORK, -March 23. Mrs Danks, widow of the author of the Song “Silver Threads Among the Gold” has died at the age of 82, poor and unhappy. The proceeds of the song, amounting to fifteen thousand sterling, led to the wrecking of the home. Deceased’s husband died in poverty twenty years ago. Later a copy of a song was found upon which lie had written “It’s hard to grow old alone.” Two daughters and a son quarrelled over the royalties from the song, and one surviving daughter is still at enmity with the brother. EXCHANGE RATE. THE RISE OF THE FRANC. 'Received this day at 8 a.m.) NEW YORK, March 22. 'lhe franc is selling strongly and has reached five and three-tenths cents representing within forty-eight hours a gain of two-Vnths cents. THE £1 STERLING UNSTEADY. (Received this day at 8 a.rn.) NEW YORK, -March 22. Sterling, however, is unsteady, and has declined two cents, reaching 428 g. The Continental Exchange has remained relatively stationary, hut the chervonets lias reached 020 cents which is six cents above par. Observers believe the franc’s ascendancy is certain in some months, but its ultimate late depends on France's fiscal reform measures.

ANOTHER DEBT SETTLED. WASHINGTON. March 22. Senator Mellon lias announced that Finland has completed the funding of her nine million dollars debt to the United States for relief supplies furnished since the armistice. This tvansacthion completes the second debt settlement, Britain’s being first.