MISCELLANEOUS.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 February 1927, Page 4

MISCELLANEOUS.

[Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.] A CHRISTENING. LISBON. Feb. 2y. There was a picturesque ceremony at the christening ol' Argos’ aeroplano, in w lib'li .Major Delieires ami three others are attempting to circumnavigate the world. Debeires’ little niece, acting as God-mother, carried a tray of silver, arid pennant of gold medals, stamped with images of the Blessed Virgin, under the title “Our Lady of The Air. Patron Saint Aviators.’’ The I]i.shop of Tranjanapolis blessed the aeroplane and medals, which the aviators wear. The Godmother affixed a pennant and the Godfather, Lieut. At'aio. broke a bottle of champagne on the hows. FRENCH YIEAV. PARTS. Felt. 2d. Interviewed by the Petit Parisieu re gnrding the Anglo-French debt agreement, .V. Caillattx said: “l think the time is near when a big sponge will he rubbed over the debts slate, including till debts of one people to .another, hut for the moment there is no means of escaping the burden. ’’ MISSING .NECKLACE. tßeceived this day at O.liO a.m.) LONDON. February 2d. Police detectives and skilled investigators employed by insurance assessors confessed they are nonplussed by the disappearance of the twenty thousand pound necklace. Mrs Istnay sent the necklace with another worth twentyfive thousand to a famous Boiid Street firm on Thursday for restringing and revaluation. When the restringing had been completed, the necklaces were handed to the sales counter, where they were wrapped and passed to the packing office. The senior office r of the firm said lie both wrapped and personally delivered it to .Mrs Ismav, owing to their great value. They were also under guard the whole time. He obtained a receipt from t;ie butler and the parcel, unopened, was placed in the mistress’s room, where it was ononed in the presence of a mail*, less than an hour afterwards. There was then only one necklace. The seals of the parcel were intact and tlr*re were no signs of tampering. As illustrating the intensity of the search the refuse of the streets for (he wind' route from the shop has been sifted without avail. FOOT AND mmi'TH .tiSI'IASF. LONDON. February 25. The germ of foot and mouth disease wliicli lias lost Britain millions, has been discovered to he specially susceptible to a simple, inexpensive disinfectant. vinegar. According to a forecast of the Government Commission's report. It considers the ban on the importation of Continental carcases was completely justified.

LIKA.M AVfRELF.SS. .LONDON. Feb. 25. Though considerable publicity was given the amalgamated wireless company's announcement that- the beam test, was very satisfactory, .Marconi's have not. made any announcement beyond circiil'.itiug the amalgamated message. It is understood twenty-four hours continuous achievement averaged fort.v-l.wn words in r minute. It i>. gathered Marconi’s do not admit there were ever any deficiencies at this end. and claim their stations at Grismbv and Skegness were alwiys ready to hand over. .Marconi's replying to inquirits snip in the very near future they would ash the post ouiee to make an olfiri;;! test, with a view to the early taking over of the stations. Experts here suggest tint apart from the Australian adjustments. the shortening days in Australia are bound to have a beneficial effect on transmission reception. SEAMEN’S FUND. LONDON. Feb. 25. At a meeting of the Loudon Board of tin- New Zealand Sheep Owners Fund it was reported that the trustees guml of £30,0110 for the relief of distressed families of seamen in Britain is almost exhausted. The Board is limiting i! work to migration it id. Civil estimates for the year ending thirty-first .March. 1928. provide G77,700 for purchase ol Australian zinc concent‘ties and 1.510,000 for overseas settlement.

CONSUL’S STATEMENT. (Received this day at 2.30 n.m.) SHANGHAI. February 25. The Senior Consul has issued the fol lowing declaration, adopted by tin diplomatic body:—ln the light o military events which at present an taking place in the region of Shnnghn and which may at any moment hav< serious consequences for the safety o life ami property of their respectivi nations as was. apparent from the horn bardmeiit of February 22m1. intercstet diplomatic representatives feel compell etl to recall that the internationa 'settlement in Shanghai, like othe concessions in China was established In virtue of regular agreements with tin Chinese Government, in order to make it possible for foreigners to reside then freely and carry on their trade, fn the course of party strife of which that region had been the scene the authorities of the international settlement have scrupulously abstained from favouring the act of conflicting parties involved and despite difficulties of the situation they are maintaining in that respect the strict neutrality imposed upon them by the nature of the state of affairs thus established. Interested diplomatic representatives are thus war-

ranted in expecting on the part o! Sinn authorities the observance of the same rule of conduct, am! they look to heads of the armies involved to take all measures necessary to avoid incidents which would constrain foreign authorities themselves to take measures indispensable for ensuring the safety of persons and property of their nationals. A similar declaration was issued l>,v the French -Minister regardin:.- the French concession. It adds:—- “ The French authorities are determined to take measures which the situation may render indispensable.”

! FillE RISK. AUCKLAND, Feb. 26. The firammar School Board obtained a legal opinion from solicitors in regard to the recently proposed policy of the. Education Department of carrying its own fire risk on secondary schools. The solicitors said it appears to us that you are entirely in the hands of the Department. and in our opinion compliance with requirements of the Department would he sufficient protection for the Board as a corporation and for members of the Board as individuals, provided always that you are satisfied 'the Department is authorised to’ exercise the powers it seeks to enforce. It was decided to obtain from the Department an exact statement regarding its authority in the matter. WOOL SALES CONCLUDE. SYDNEY. February 25. The February series of wool sales lias concluded. The best features of the previous sale were maintained and under keen competition good clearances were effected on full late rates.