BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 31 March 1924, Page 3

BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS

AUSTRALIAN AND N Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION GIRL THIEF’S MAD DEED. LONDON, March 29. The “Daily Cliriticlc’s” Paris cor-

respondent states that a low nights ago, M. Lucien Regrout, living by the riverside at Bry-.siir-Marne, beard repeated cries of “Save Mo.” M. liegrout, accompanied by his wife, took a boat. They saw two women struggling in the water, and both of them were rescued and sent to the hospital. The .younger woman, is now in custody. She has confessed that, fearing dishonour, as she was guilty of tin misappropriation of funds, she took hei aged, blind, deaf, and mute mother oui in a boat, intending to drown her, and then drown herself. She carried out her purpose to the extent of pushing her mother overhauld, and jumping into the water herself in mid-stream, lint she could not help shouting “Save Me”, hence tins rescue.

R USSIA N 1 -MENTIONS. MOSCOW. .March 28. A report on Llie international situation made to the Congress of Russian engineers by Zinovieff, states Britain lias presented to Russia a claim for 10,391) million gold roubles, excluding three milliards representing interest oil loans since 1915. The report adds Russia does not intend to make concessions in this connection. She has presented a counter claim exceeding Britain's demands. BRITISH MIN K IBS. LONDON, March 29. A conference of the miners delegates has decided to take a ballot on a recommendation to accept the recent final offers made by the coal owners to increase tlie minimum rate of wages from 20 to 33.[ per cent., and to give 9" per

cent of any surplus to wages and thirteen per cent to profits, instead of, a at present, 83 per cent to wages and seventeen per cent to profits respectively The conference also decided to call on the Government to institute an inquiry. This ballot, however, is not to be a strike ballot. The Miners’ Delegates Conference today rejected the mine owners terms by 502,000 votes to 271,000. ROBBED IN CHURCH. ROME, March 28. , The Gorman Bishop of Paberborn, in Westphalia, when travelling to Rome, with sovolity thousand renten marks, which lie had received for Peter’s Pence entrusted tlio money in’ a purse to Ills secretary for safety in Venice. The secretary went to Mass, during which he placed the purse close to the altar. When the service was over, it was found that the purse contained nothing but old newspapers.

-MATATUA DISASTER. LONDON, March 28. At the inquest on the Matatua’s eight victims, counsel lor the owners sought to postpone evidence. Captain Green gave evidence that when he saw the Yankee steamer approaching, he sounded a short blast, meaning “allei your course to starboard.” ’llie 7an kec steamer replied, am) I lien ,ho suddenly saw the Yankee coming swiftly. It. was impossible In do anything. Ml,. M util tun’s pilot gave evidence they were approaching perfectly solely. Something must have gone wrong with tin; Yankee steering gear. LONDON. March 29. At the rc-umed inquest at Gravesend on the victims of the .Matatun disaster, the pilot ol lin: American Merchant said that lie called the captain s attention to the Matatun being on their hmv. hut showing only a green light. The Matatun, when she showed her red light, was only two hundred yank a wav." She then gave a roaring blast whereupon he (the pilot) immediately ordered the engines to he stopped, and then put them full speed astern. The coroner said the pilot’s ei ideiice did not agree with the evidence of the American Merchant s captain. The pilot replied that the Matatun had not opened her ml light ««>" enough to avoid the collision. The American Merchant, the pilot stated, did everything possible to avoid tli collision. A verdict was returned that the eight men oji the -Matatun were accidentally killed in a collision.

A SUN MOTOR. (“Sydney Sun" Fables). (Received this day at 9.45 a m.) LONDON, March 30 A British company is being formed to exploit the discovery of a Berlin Professor who has invented a sun power machine, the principal feature of which is that the sun’s rays are harnessed by Bear’s mirrors utilised for the generation of steam at fug 1 pressure for motor purposes. It is predicted that this so-called sun motor will prove of enormous value to farmers in India, Africa and Australia and other hot countries.

LONDON PRESS VERSION. LONDON, March 29

The “Dailv Telegraph’s" Pans correspondent says:—“Though President Millerniid and the Entente Den.ocra one (the most importat group in the French Chamber of Dep.ues) had long recommended the reconstruction of the Cabinet, much surprise has been caused bv the inclusion of M. I.oucheur, - • Vincent. M. de 3on venal, and M. Marsal. who prominently opposed M. 1 omen re during the recent financial deletes The chief conclusions deductible are:—That M. Poincare refuses to stand openly by the majority in the present Chamber: and secondly, that though the Premier is unwilling materially to modify his foreign pohey. wishes to carry it out. as far as possible with the support of the Left. RARLS. -March 28.

Tim forecast of the new French Cabinet is confirmed, except that M •«’- i’evre Deprive takes the portfolio of Mistice; Capos that of Agriculture; M. Do Selves that of the Interior and Marine; and M. Libcraml that of the Regions.