MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 11 August 1927, Page 1

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association. It I'SSiAN G EULOGIST'S DISCOVERY. BERLIN, Aug. 9. The famous Russian geologist. Professor Obrutscheff, has returned after a prolonged exploration of Eastern Siberia. He declares that the rivers and mountains are afl marked wrongly on the map. lie had discovered no fewer than seven alpine ranges, where atlases showed level country ; many peaks exceeding ten thousand feet. WEALTHY SHIPOWNER CHARGED LONDON. Aug. ID. The Daily News states that Watkin James Williams. of Cardiff. who nieteorieally made a fortune in shipping was arrested on a charge, relating to the foundering of the steamer East-way, of which he was the registered manager. 110 miles from Bermuda. on October 22nd. 1920. with the loss of twenty-three lives.

The Board of Trade inquiry showed that the vessel was laden 13.1 inches beyond the wintei leadline. She was insured fur sixty-four thousand one hundred sterling and was worth filty thousand. Her dead weight was 9.081) tons and should have been 9,120. The Court, blamed Williams and ordered him to pay one thousand sterling towards the cost. of. the enquiry.

AMERICAN COTTON. LONDON, Aug. 10

Tlie announcement that the American cotton crop is lour and a-ludf million hales less than last year, has alarmed Lancashire trade. Raw cotton has risen suddenly by twopence per pound. It. is reported that a few firms made thousands in profits.

A ballot of the American section of the trade resulted in the Master Cotton Spinners’ Association recommending all mill's spinning American staple to close a week in addition to the annual month’s holiday. It refers to the deplorable condition of the trade.

Manchester Exchange is at a standstill.

SINGAPORE BASE. WILLIAMSTOWN. Aug. 9. Lieutenant Gary, ol the United States Intelligence Department', at the round-table discussion on the British Commonwealth of Nations, said the most significant aspect ol the modern international era. is the shitting ot world politics and the naval centre from the north to the Pacific. Singapore is the key now to British naval strategy, and Britain’s window was over- looking the Pacific. This base is the factor on which it is most likely why Japan did not seriously count at tlic Washington Conleronee. Professor Heaton, Queen’s University. Canada, said that Canada had shown little interest in naval defence, because she was comparatively safe from naval attack, but Australia and New Zealand, because of their isolated position, felt their great dependence on the British navy.

RHINELAND ARMY. LONDON. Aug. 10.

The “Daily Express’s” Paris correspondent states that M. Brinnd achieved a great personal triumph in bringing the Government hack fco the spirit of the Locarno theory. There was a dramatic scene in the Chamber 1 when, after demolishing the recent attacks against tTie Locarno policy, M. Briand pleaded for a more friendly attitude to Germany, and finally carried with him M. Poincare and M. Martin. Minister of Pensions, who is UltraNationalist.

It is understood that the Cabinet decided to reduce the army in t ln Rhineland by al least d.OOi', and probably 18,000 immediately alter the League Assembly in September.

RUSSIAN A F FAR IS. LONDON, Aug. 10

Polluting a recantation ot the viewin' Trotsky and Zinovieii', their expulsion from I'iic Cell era I Committee has lieeii withdrawn, and strict warning and reprimand substituted.

Iv 1X (i .MICHAEL’S CAPRICE. BCCIIAREST, Aug. S'.

King .Michael celebrated his entry to his magnificent castle at Sinaia, by climbing into a valued and luxurious old chair. A governess requested him to get down, and he replied digniliedly and conimandingly: “Do nottouch me, miss. You have told me I am King. I have the right to command. It is my turn to toll you, I do not intend to get down." THE PENDI’LU.M STROKE. LONDON, August 0.

ft is hei’ioved that the Milliards Association Council have barred the pendulum stroke, after 35 consecutive cannons have been made oil' it. SCHNEIDER PLANES. LONDON. Aug. 9.

A veil of secrecy has been lifted from Britain’s two Schneider Cup aeroplanes probably tlie fastest tilings in existence. They are supermarine Napier Cluster Napier, and have already been designated thunderbolts. A trial at Cowes was one of the world’s most thrilling spectacles. The machines were first seen as distant as a black speck. The engine was barely audible, and grew like a rushing vision or nightmare, until there was a deafening crash of eight hundred horse power, fifty yards above the spectators’ heads. There was a flashing glimpse of bi'ue trom the uuuhine, and then it went out of sight.

One of the pilots said that it he looked out either side of the cockpit his head would he blown off.

The engine exhaust makes it a tuiiiiicc. and if any part of the body were to get exposed to the intense heat, the skin would he scorched.