BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 April 1924, Page 2

BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

LATEST CABLE NEWS

AUSTRALIAN AND NZ. CABLE ASSOCIATION '« > CHILLING EXPERIMENT. LONDON, April K -~<V It is understood that the stoamei* KonlVexporimontal shipment of New Zealand chilled beef lias proved an in- / conclusive experiment. The length of the voyage necessitated the meat being frozen. ' N.Z. EGGS. LONDON, April 2 .Mr J. 15. Mcrrett, Secretary of the New Zealand Poultry Federation, has received sufficient orders tor eggs to absorb the whole export from New Zcu- . land for tlie next throe years. CONFIDENCE TRICKSTERS. -JfcU LONDON, April 2. Confidence men who are known to have been devising means to exploit Dominion and American visitors to tlie Empire Exhibition have secured first blood from an Australasian visitor who reported to the police that lie gave a party of men £IOOO representing his whole savings, so that he must return to the Antipodes before the Exhibition opens. _ -• —^ Using tlie so-called “Paris Bourse” trick, the men persuaded the Australian to embark upon a small gamble on the rise and fall of the franc. The result was satisfactory, and the man was persuaded to join the party in a hie deal being told that it was a great favour to be admitted to the group. After two weeks, tlie Australian handed over his money. The tricksters immediately disappeared and the man went to the police.

FllKXCll HEFCSAL. PARTS, April 1. The French Government refused passports to ex-King George of Greece and ex-Queen Sophia, and Elizabeth who wished to visit the Rivieiu. _ VOLCANIC ERUPTION. ,±- y ROME. April 2. The volcano Stromboli. in the Mediterranean, is at present in activity to a terrifying extent. It is pouring out lava and hipillae, which have destroyed groat- areas of vineyards. Earthquakes are damaging the houses. The sky is illuminated by flames and smoke pillars throughout the night. The inhabitants, having been seized with panic, are ready to escape seawards in boats if necessary. /^'V BLACKMAILERS SENTENCED, v,,--

LOXDON, April 1. Y hatch of six blackmailers have been sentenced at the Old Bailey to terms ranging from four to seven years. One of the accused represented that he knew of income tax lrauds/and ho demanded £3OO from a Bradford merchant. Two others victimised an army oth-

'.lustice Maeardie said that blackmail meant slow death to tlie victim. was an offence which was gravely Mf creasing. It was one of the worst cars of civilisation and 'it must be! " stamped out. Sf a lII.IN GER' LI 1E AIA iKN T.

LONDON, April 1. M. Kpahlingor has written to Sir .lames All' ll (New Zealand High missioiHT) asking particulars of tho proposed scheme under which the Imperial and the New Zealand Governmem s would he combining to finance him Spahlinger) for a period of years. The British Ministry of Health is at present considering its reply thereto. DIVORCE COSTS. LONDON. Apiil 2. The costs in the Lubrano divorce case (cabled November 25), which Com-, mnndcr Yitali was directed to pay, amount to close oil £4OOO. THE QUEENSLAND LOAN. LONDON, April 2. The “Daily Herald” cites tho Queensland Premier. Mr Theodore’s experience in being opposed in raising a conversion loans as an example of direct action hv the London bankers. The “Herald’’ laments the success ot financiers in asserting a sovereignty - over the affairs of a self-governing State in the Empire. MAN DIES IN COFFIN. PARIS, April 2. Nicolas Picrot, a recluse, living at Saint Die, bought a coffin with most magnificent fittings. He informed his neighbours that he intended to try living therein. Next morning he wn* found dead in the coffin. Death was due to heart failure. A LOCK-OUT. LONDON, April 1. , Mr Read, of the American shipping companies, stales that tho shipbuilders have declared a lockout on Apiil lOLli of the members of all unions whoso Southninnt-.-n members do not sumo by April Bth.