MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 12 April 1926, Page 3

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

[Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.]

LONDON TO BRIGHTON RELAY. LONDON, April 11.

of The Bircbfield Harriers (holders) 111 won the London to Brighton Relay l ~ Race in 4 hours 45 Inimll.es -if 1-5 seconds, beating their old record of j 4-50-0 1-5. :> Nineteen teams started. s. a THE TIGRIS IN FLOOD. BAGHDAD. April 11. An unpreedented flood is threatened s b.v tin* river Tigris. The water lias reached the banks near the Royal Paln ace, a mile from the city, and the I- palace is surrounded by tbe rushing 11 flood waters. The palace lias been .evacuated. The- Hoynl ladies were removed ime dor great difficulties, blit tliero was no 4 time to remove any contents, g The palace gardens are devastated, and hundreds of refugees whose huts were swept away arc encamped near tbe palace. Tho police are conscripting labour in - thousands and working feverishly lo strengthen the Hood walls encircling the city. It is reported that thirty-five persons wore drowned. BAGHDAD. April 12. ’> Five thousand men arc employed t day and night and have so saved BagltI dad from the menace of the unprecey dented floods, but the prospect toj night is gloomy. The water is rising rapidly and threatening the protect- ' ing embankment. Thousands of tons of water are sweeping every second 1 -through tho Royal Garden at llaglif dad, north of the railway station, in- 1 ; eluding a handed warehouse, which is 1 under five leet of water. , The loss to the commercial interests . is estimated at a quarter of a million sterling. 1 BRITISH WIRELESS AGREEMENT. LONDON, April Id. ! Referring in an interview to Mr Fisk’s criticism of tho British Post Office, Mr Short, manager of the Canadian Marconi Coy., confirmed the statement of the agreement about to lie signed between the Coy. and tho British Post Office lor wireless transmission under beam system, but telephonic tests arc expressly excluded. Ho was informed by the Post Office that Britain would only carry out wireless tests with Canada via New York. BROADCASTING. NEW YORK. April Id. A message from Oakland. California, states that station K.T.A.B. will attempt to broadcast to Australia and New Zealand on the twentieth of May, at four in the morning, which is equivalent to ten at night on the twent.v-lirst of May, Australian time. Richard Carrington, the publisher of tho local newspaper “Post Enquirer,” ill announcing will say; “Hello Australia and greetings to cities of New • Zealand.” A 240 wave length will lie I used. Representatives of the Rotary ; and Kiwauis Clubs, and other civil bodies, will make addresses and will lie followed b.v vocal and instrumental selections. 1 Australian and New Zealand radio- f ists owning three or live valve sets are I expected to be able to receive the pro- I gramme. | HORTICULTURIST’S DEATH. J NEW YORK. April Id. A message from Santa Rosa. California., says that Luther Burbank, a noted plant odtorisl, died early on Sunday at bis home here, after a two weeks’ illness. His death is attributed . to nervous exhaustion, complicated b.v 1 a heart attack. I lie scientist's age is 1 seventy-nine, together with his in- ' ability to assimilate any but. limited quantities of nourishment proved a handicap. GENERA I- ALLENBY HOME AGAIN. 11 LONDON. April 11. General Allcob.v has arrived at Liverpool 011 his return from an Empire tour. He declared tbe Dominions were going ahead fast anil the trade dopres- ’ siou due to tbe war was passing away. " The present time was most favourable s for emigrants. “BRITISH TAX ON LUXURIES.” LONDON. April 11. Tho “Sunday News” special corres- A pondent states he has reason to believe t that the Hon. Winston Churchill, in ” his budget, will propose a lax on ini- L ported precious stones, articles ol 11 jewellery made of gold and furs; also tl a modified tax mi betting to'be intro- c; duecd during the next financial year. About fifteen millions sterling worth of tlio luxuries mentioned are imported annually and tbe tax on these is expected to ;vield live millions. , v HEN LOW AIR TRAGEDY. LONDON, April Tl. Eve witnesses of the air tragedy at «' Henlow arc of the opinion that -he AI pilot of the rising plane was blinded nt l,v the sun. The machines interlocked, ;; somersaulted and crashed in Haines. AY ILK INS AT HARROW. VANCOUVER. April 11. • Wilkins has arrived at' Barrow. He failed to find Rossman, l.ut Smith has rejoined the latter with ample supplies for tho dogs’ return. CALIFORNIAN OIL FIRE. l,< tl NOW UNDER CONTROL. SAN FRANCISCO, April 10. The fires at tbe Union Oil Company’s tanks at. Sail Euis Obispo, 0 which were the most speeteaulnr in t American petroleum history, were ,| under control on Saturday night, after () causing a loss of approximately fifteen a million dollars.