BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 March 1924, Page 2

BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

LATEST CABLE NEWS

AUSTRALIAN AND N Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION BISHOPS TO CARDINALS. ROAIE, Alarch 24 The Pope, at a private consistory, announced that Alonsignw^jHayes and Alundelein, Archbishops at New York- — and Chicago respectively, have been appointed Cardinals. THE COOPER. MURDER. LONDON, Alarch 24. At the inquest on Cooper, a verdict ’ of wilful murder against George Williatn Cooper was returned. A ridt-rj> added that accused was subjected t<> great provocation. THE DEATH PENALTY. LONDON, Alarch 24 Eight penal reform women’s societies sent a deputation to Air A. Henderson , and asked him to abolish the death penalty. Air Henderson pointed out that- there was little evidence of any general public desire for it and the question had not been discuksed for years. The Government would have to consider a satisfactory alternative punishment before recommending abolition. TWO CHRISTCHURCH MEN’S BEQUESTS.

LONDON, Alarch 24 AA’illiam Acton Adams, of Christchurch. left £202,868. Alargaret Griffiths receives £SOO for Her excellent cooking; Althea Sibbald, Secretary, £IOOO. .John Duncan AlcGruev, also of Christchurch, left £50,000. Lily Bentlev, AI at roil of St. Pancras Infirmary, received £IOO annuity for her devotion to the Auzacs. The residue goes to the New Zealand Salvation Army and (bo Presbyterian authorities for social work. SHOT BY SENTRY. LONDON,' Alarch 25. The Rome correspondent of the "Daily Express” says that an English woman, Airs Alary Eveline ’llnlbrick, aged 50, was shot dead near the powder magazine at Genoa, by the sentij, who stated that she took no notice.of bis challenge to halt. She had been staying at the Hotel Isott.a since Friday. It is understood that she was well-to-do, and had been travelling, the world for twelve years. BRITAIN AND FRANCE. LONDON, Alarch 25. There is much speculation in Paris and London regarding an i.'dorview between Air MacDonald and Count- St. Aulaire yesterday. “The Daily Telegraph's” diplomatic correspondent says the questions discussd included France’s security, the reparations, the intor-Aiiicd debts, the lluhr. the Palatinate, and the Allied military control of Germany, From which the very general character of the conversation may be gauged. Nothing occurred which could be described even remotely as negotij ions.

The “Daily Chronicle” says that, while 110 definite result is expected, yet there is no doubt that the diplomatic situation as between I 1 ranee and Britain is now easier than ior a long time past. RAILWAY DISASTER. _ OSTENI) EXPRESS. HARIS, Alarch 24. The Ostein! express was travelling at 70 miles per hour when it clashed intoa goo Is train. The gas reservoirs in a wagon behind Hie engine eroded, adding to the horrors of the eatas-: trophe. which, it is believed, was due to a .signalman leaving the points open for the express, though the goods train was being shunted into the station. The night was clear and the driver saw sigals that indicated that the line was c-lcar, sc he did not slacken speed.

Three carriages were telescoped. They have not yet been lifted, so it is not known how many dead may lie underneath the wreckage. The burning of dead and dying who were pinned under the wreckage ioi several hours was a shocking episode. No Britishers are known to be killed or injured. PARIS, March 24. Eight were killed in tho Ostend express” smash. Kix of these were so terrible mutilated that they, cannot lie identified beyond the bodies of two soldiers. one postman and one woman. JUGO-SLAVIA. BELGRADE, March 25. Sixty-eight members of the .Croatian Peasant Republican Party arrived at Belgrade and took an oath of loyalty to King Alexander, in the Skupshtina, thus recognising the Union of Crotia, with Jugo-Slavia for the first time, i M. Pasehitsm’s Government is now , faced with an opposition of overwhelming strength so he has handed iu his resignation to King Alexander. It is expected that M. Davidovitcli, Leader of the Democratic Party, will |he the new Premier. He has 173 supj porters, compared uith 127 supporters of M. f’aschitch. The Croats who are the strongest Party in the Skupshtina, favour a Federal organisation of the State in prej fereuce to the present Central Government.. THE MATATUA’S COLLISION. ! LONIION. March 25. I The bodies of nine dead members of ; the Matatua’s crew hare been reeoverI i 11. They were lying in the bunks un- ! cler water, where they were, trapped. I The names of the victims are still | unknown. A Matatua seaman, named Moore, a New Zealander, interviewed by the (“Daily Express” said:—‘When the ! collision occurred, 22 out of 32 of our men were asleep. I was going to tied when I heard a cry ‘Conic up quick!’ I ran up. in my shill, just in time to see the American Merchant cut right through the cabins. The collision sounded like an explosion.” The Captain of the Matatua explains that the current caused the Matatua, which was at anchor, to swerve as the American vessel approached. .Seaman Moore said he was sleeping in the next berth to those who were killed, and was lucky to be saved. The Yankee ship .-truck a glancing blow until the plates buckled. Then she cut half way through the Matatua. tearing away the derricks and donkey engines. The Yankee ship kept her nose in the hole, thus giving the Captain of the Matatua a chance to beach her.

MATATFA’S CREW. LONDON, March 25 It is believed the Matatua’s crew joined the vessel in London. FLYING TOUR. LONDON, March 25 Squadron leader MaeLaren in the flying boat Vulture, has left Souths ampton on the world flighf,