MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 January 1925, Page 3

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

LATEST CABLE NEWS

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CAPL® ASSOCIATION. TOKYO HOSPITAL FIRE. TOKTO, Jan. !•<. An outbreak of lire is reported from St Luke's international Hospital, practically the whole building, which was a temporary structure, being gutted. A •strong wind was blowing, but it is understood that one hundred and twenty patients, including a lew foreigners, were safely removed to the open sfneo behind the hospital. The marines, stall and paymasters of the college m the neighbourhood arc assisting the filemon. |)r Teusler, head of the hospital is now returning from America. The cause of the lire is unknown. It totally destroyed the records and stores . As far as can he ascertained there were no casualties, all patients being saved and they arc Ix-ing accommodated in another institution. Those able to do so are returning to their homes. FOOD PRICES. QITEENSLAND REMEDY. LONDON, January 13. In view of the resumed sittings of the Food Prices Commission, the "Daily Herald” publishes an article showing how the Labour Government in Queensland deals with t’m so-called meat profiteers. It claims that the retail prices of meat in Queensland are the cheapest in the world, while in other parts of Australia, where Queensland is unable to sot up its shops, the discrepancy between the wholesale and retail prices is enormous. BANK OF ENGLAND SUED. (Received this day at 9.25 a.m.) LONDON, January 15. The executors of the late John Wilson, Commoner, of Edinburgh, are suing the Bank of England at the Edinburgh Court sessions, claiming £60,000 in an action involving an important issue relating to its liability for the legality of a share transfers action, which is based on the fact that the hank accepted transfers oi stocks and bonds, the property of W ilson, which had been forged hy David Andersen. The hank pleads to have shown all reasonable care while Wilson’s acceptance of diminished yield from the shares ratified the transfers. Evidence was given that Wilson owing to failing eyesight in 1920, employed Anderson, who was then a student to read to him the letter. Anderson is now undergoing seven years’ penal servitude for forgeries which were only discovered after Wilson’s death in 1920. .MUSSOLINI’S MOVE. LONDON, January 14. The “Daily Telegralip’s ” Rome correspondent stated that Snlnndra, Giolitti and Orlando conferred secretly after the Parliamentary sitting ami it is rumoured that they discussed whether the opposition should reluse to participate in Ihe debate on the new electoral law or move its suspension. The Government’s decision against t'rocmasonry has caused considerable alarm, even the semi-official newspapers protesting. The Fascists, by attacking freemasonry, aim at winning popularity with the Catholics. THE BRITISH “REDS.” UNIONISM, VERSUS COMMUNISM. [Reuters Telegrams.] (Received this day at 9.25 l.in.) LONDON, January 15. The “ Daily Express ” states the British "Reds” plot to gain control of the trade unions will he advanced a stage on the 25th when the minority movement will hold a conference at Battersea. This will be the most serious engagement to date between tbc trade unions and the Communists. The minority movement was lormed in August, aiming at the development of class consciousness, the establishment of factory committees, the maintenance of the closest relations with the world’s revolutionary workers, propaganda within the existing workers’ organisations against the present, tendency towards class .collaboration, and the' delusion of peaceful transition from capitalism to socialism. The Council of the Trade Union Congress refused in any way to countenance the movement or to participate in the conference on the 25th ot lobruary. GREAT AERIAL TOWER. (Received this day at 12.80 p.m.) LONDON, January 14. The “Daily Chronicle’s” aeronautical correspondent announces that one of the most remarkable structures in the world is a steel tower two hundred feet in height which is being erected at Ismailia, on the edge of the Egyptian desert. It will serve as an international station on the airship route between London and Australia. Passengers will emerge from the airship to the platform on the towel which is served by an electric lilt. The tower is fitted with great searchlights which will Hash over the desert all night long. When anchored to the mast the unship is free to swing in any d.rec mm R.. 35. when recommissioned will go to Ismailia for tests with the tower.

BRITAIN AND VATIC AN. LONDON, January *ll. Replying to a suggestion from the United Protestant Council that Bntain should follow the examples of Era nee and the Argentine and withdraw from the wartime expedient ot having a British legation at the I aticaa, the Foreign Office states the. Government has decided that it would not, at present, bo in the public' interest to interrupt the existing re itions. * CP.OYDEN DISASTER INQUEST. [RErTF.ns Tkc.forams.l

(Received this day at 11.-o a.mA LONDON, January

-V sensation occurred at the icoponi„„ of the inquest on the victims of Crovden air smash. A solicitor representing the relations of the victims alleged that the Imperial Airways mu. tampered with n witness. The representative of the Imperial Airways denied the allegation. The witness concerned, Henry ( lei k, employed by the Imperial Airways gave evidence that he knew not ot t c alleged tampering. He said E-k . the traffic superintendent, asked him whv the witness had not told him of the conversation ho bad beard between the deceased pilot Hmchfto and Hall the mechanical suerintemlent. when Hiuchelille said the oil pressure was low and Hall had replied if so, the engine should be properly tested, and if necessary changed. I 1,.,, replied that h. did »■>« sufficiently important. Eske • him to be most careful m wha re • u the inquest and not to advance any theories or say anything that was no

in Ins liiis. , i Counsel for the Airways suggested a withdrawal of the outrageous statement. The solicitor said he was glad the matter was not as serious as he had thought but it was unfortunate that Eskell had sought to_ advn.e a witness in regard to Ins evidence.