BRITISH & FOREIGN NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 8 April 1927, Page 2

BRITISH & FOREIGN NEWS

[_UY TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] BLACKAIAILING CASE. LONDON. April C. One of the most amazing cases in the history of blackmailing was revealed at Bow Street when four men were charged with obtaining £10,859, from a retired army captain, whose name was not disclosed. After threats tho Captain was inveigled into a bedroom in London where two men immediately demanded £‘so under the threat of calling in the police. Thenceforward others of the gang secured £95 for passage to Algeria, and £l2O on a plea ot hi s wife being ill. then £2OO for his wife’s funeral expenses. The demands continued throughout 1925, including £IOO passage money for two men to Australia. Finally a so-called detective Lynch, appeared and philantropliically promised to deal with the blackmailers, hut quickly demanded £IIOU. and then £2.000. until the cheques aggregated £IO,OOO. 'I he case was adjourned.

fingerprints. ROAIE, April 6. After a searching investigation, in which all Italy has* been interested, Signorina Ganelin has proved incontestably that Signor Canella is her husband. Two women claimed Canella as their husband, and the ease was regarded as a remarkable instance of similarities Between two men. Signorina Canella identified her husband by means of marks on the body, which hitherto had not been divulged. This case represents a smashing blow to the finger print system, as the police have been maintaining throughout that Signor Canella was identical with a notorious criminal. RECORD ASCENT PARIS, April 7. The sensations experienced when flying at the greatest height ever reached are described by Lieut. De Alongeout. who has established a new world's height record. He reached an altitude of 31.164 feet.

He says that the climbing was more difficult after a height of 15,009 feet had been reached. After that, it took half an hour to reach an altitude of 27,000 feet Beyond that he climbed only 1500 feet ill half an hour. AVlien at tlie peak of tbe flight, Lieut. Do Afongeout states, he had lo gasp painfully for every breath. As he was not wearing goggles his eyes were half-blinded by frozen tears. Even slight movements of his oxygen mask caused blisters on his cheeks and chin, while even the gas from the exhaust pipe of the plane was frozen as it exuded, leaving a trail of snow substance behind.

The airman was completely deaf on landing, has hands and feet being extremely painful, though they were protected by special gloves and shoes.

SENSATIONAL DIAMOND FIND. (Received this dav at 8 a.m.) CAPETOWN, ‘April 7. A sensational discovery of a diamond field lias been made in a desolate region at Naninqualand, north of Port Xolloth, towards the mouth of the Orange River. It is regarded as almost unique in th- history of diamond prospecting. Isolated discoveries of diamonds were made in that region as far hack as 1909, hut the present discovery hitherto yielded diamonds at a value of £IOO,OOO, including a fine stone of 50.5 carats; valued at £7OOO. Further sensational finds are anticipated. FRENCH CAPITALISTS. LONDON, April G. “The Tinies’s’’ Paris correspondent states: “The Franco-Asiatic Chamber of Commerce here, including the Messageries Maritime Coy., the Shanghai Tramways Company, and many Fran-co-Chi nese companies, banks and commercial organisations, have written to M. Briand (Foreign Minister) urging the wisdom of a general policy of agreement with the Powers in China, declaring that it would l>e most dangerous to trust in the promises of the moderate Chinese Ministers, who probably are destined shortly to be overwhel med.

The letter adds that the French concession at Shanghai is at present adequately defended, taking into account the fact that there will be other military support to the French in the event of emergencies.