MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 April 1924, Page 1

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

iUBTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. SOUTH AFRICAN POLITICS. A NATIONALIST WIN. CAPETOWN,' April 6. The Wukkerstroorn bye-election resulted : .Maude (Nationalist) 1420 Oberson (South African Party) 1207 The election was pivotal as regards feeling in the country districts, and is admittedly an outstanding Nationalist victory. The Government candidate resigned bis office as Administrator of the Transvaal to contest the seat, lie being regarded as the most popular and strongest candidate available The Nationalists are jubilant over the result and predict that at the general elections in, September they will secure a majority over all parties. COTTON OPERATIVES FIRED ON. DELHI, April G. Strenuous trouble lias arisen among tho cotton operatives at Cawnpore over the question of wages and the bonus. The mill-bands indulged in rowdyism and stone throwing. Tho police were called to suppress tho disorder, ajnd more peaceable methods proving ineffective the Magistrate ordered the police to fire. Three persons wore killed and twenty-four wounded. PIRATES CAPTURE STEAMER. PEKING, April 5. The Portuguese steamer Seixal was captured by pirates at Kauhong on the West river. Captain . Assis and three guards were killed. TER RI EYING LANDSLIDES. MADRID, April G. The panic stricken inhabitants of _.eiru Nevada are Hiving for fear of the enormous landslides which are descending the mountain sides, engulfing the olive groves, farms and villages. Jn many places the surface cracked, opened and swallowed up farms, trees and cattle. PRINCE’S TOUR OF AFRICA. LONDON, Apirl 0. The official announcement of tho Prince of Wales’ tour of South Africa states the Prince will leave Southampton on the 2nd of May aboard file Arundel Castle, arriving at Capetown on the 19th. He will spend three weeks in the Cape province and then visit the Orange Free State, Basutoland, Natal, Swaziland, Rhodesia and Bcclmanalaud, sailing homeward from Capetown on the Ist of August. ELECTRIC RAY TO DESTROY AEROPLANES. AN ENGLISHMAN’S DISCOVERY. LONDON, April G. The “Daily Mail” states Grimsell Matthews, whom the British Governliinet paid twenty-live thousand sterling during the war Tor an invention for controlling motor boats by searchlight, claims to have discovered an

electric ray capable of stopping aeroplanes in flight, lie declares that when lie read recently that:—“French aeroplanes were repeatedly tailing in Herman territory owing to mysterious engine trouble .1 realised the Germans had found an invisible ray for putting magnetons out of action. 1 concentrated on the discovery of this and 1 am certain 1 have succeeded. I believe the ray discovered is sufficient not only to stop aeroplanes hut to destroy them or anything else on which it rests, including powder magazines.’’ .Matthews gave a practical demonstration of the stopping of a motor cycle fifty foot away hv the ray from a lens apparatus. USE OF WHITE LEAD LONDON, April fi. The Home Secretary is introducing a Bill into the Commons to give effect t„ the Geneva Labour Conference decision restricting the use of white-lead paint in ship-building. HOPES OF SETTLEMENT. LONDON, April 0. The Labour dispute is assuming a brighter aspect. The Employees’ Federation states a conference between the executive representatives and Southampton local committee arrived at a basis of arrangements which will be recommended to a mass meeting to he held on 7th. April. It is understood both sides are hopeful of a settlement early during the coming week. McLAREN HELD UP. LONDON. April 0. Advices from 'Corfu state that on account of a defective casting, McLaren will l ave to obtain a .new engine from England. The resumption of his flight will be delayed for ten days.

FRENCH DENTAL. PARIS, April 0. The reported extensive French occupation towards Elberfield is officially denied. It is added that no such operation is contemplated. o.j MILLION HOUSES FOR BRITAIN. LONDON, April 5. Capoock, secretary of the National Federation of Building Trade Workers, speaking at the housing conference, said: “We are on the eve of a tremendous housing proposal by the Government, embracing two and a-lialf million houses in fifteen years. The Government is going the right way about it. The industry is prepared to make every effort to carry out ,tlie scheme.” Herbert Morrison, a Commoner, said that ninety per cent of London was dull, dreary and miserable. If it could conveniently be drawn it would be better for civilisation. THE PARIS OLYMPIC. LONDON, April 6.

.The represent afire s in Paris of the various Olympic Committees are now actively engaged in ensuring accommodation* for their nationals during the game. Thirty competitors from Australia and New Zealand will he accommodated at the Normandy Hotel in the centre of Paris. . . James Tavlor expresses the opinion that \ustraiasia should take four ot the,first places in the track and bed events, swimming and possihlj sculling It is hoped to carry off the weight putting. especially since Munro’s last performance of W.Si metres. The sprinter, Carr, is also expected to figure in the finals, and great faith." is placed in Charlton for the swimming events.