BRITISH AND FOREIGN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 August 1927, Page 3

BRITISH AND FOREIGN NEWS.

(Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.) AFRICAN TRIAL. CAPETOWN, Aug. 17. One of the most sensational trials in the history of South Africa concluded when De Leemv, Town Clerk of a small Orange Free State town was sentenced to death for tho murder of three members of the Town Council. The Crown’s ease was that De Lceuw Jiad prepared an infernal machine by which he blew up the Town Hall and three councillors in order to destroy art evidence of the defalcations of the municipal monies. Evidence showed De Leeuw had been warned that, if the books were not in order within a week, lie would he arrested. He then made inquiries regarding the power of dynamite and petrol used together.

OBITUARY. LONDON, Aug. 17. Obituary.—Sir Ernest Hatch, aged 68, long associated with the Home Office and other Departmental Committees relating to colonial and foreign matters. COMMERCIAL NEWS. LONDON, Aug. 17. Hold is 84s 10Jd and tallow sales WK*ro not held.

•A DIAMOND RUSH

RACE FOR CLAIMS

(Received this day at 8 a.m.) CAPETOWN, Aug. 18

Ten thousand diggers and runners mado a. mad race for wealth at a farm at Welverdiend, Transvaal, when proclaimed as an alluvial diamond diggings. This is probably the last ot South African diamond rushes as new legislation provides for a ballot ol claims. Five hundred police were present in view of rumoured threats ot a deliberately planned false start, hut the only trouble was a light over pegs before the rush started, The scene as thousands of motor cars and lorries departed from Tin Town over the dusty veldt to the diggings beggars description. A motley crowd of city clerks, veteran diggers, and professional runners rail in multi-coloured costumes from bathing costumes to pyjamas. The race was over three miles. Thirteen diggers found hidden near the richest claims were arrested. Most of them lmd hidden in water tanks, ono having lain full length under the water with only his nose showing.

AGREEMENT SIGNED. this day at 12.25 p.r0.l TAMS, Ails'. 17. The Franco-German commercial agreement lias been signed. GAMBLER’S SUCCESS. PARIS, Aug. 17. An American millionaire last night made the biggest single bet at Baccarat in the history of Deauville Casino. A few days ago he lost sixteen thousand sterling in one night. He returned yesterday and v.as winning nil the time till bo had ten thousand sterling before him. Then lie staked the lot no the turn of a single card and won. He rose from the table a net winner of £32,000 sterling. GERMAN WARSHIP. BERLIN, Aug. 17. Germany’s third post-war eruisei, a sister ship of the six thousand burner Knrlsrule will be launched at Kiel on August 20th. AEROPLANE FOR. MUSSOLINI. ROME, Aug. 17. The Italian Aero Club suggested that each province present an aeroplane to Mussolini to celebrate the Fascist anniversary. Everyone of the seventyfive consented. A, BIG ESTATE. LONDON. Aug. 17. Frank Lloyd, Chairman of Lloyds Limited, paper makers, left £6/9,923. Ho bequeathed £35,500 'to newspaper fournalists institutions. AN INQUEST. LONDON, Aug. 17. The examining Magistrate at Montreux in a report discounts the hypothesis that Lewis, cabled on August Bth committed suicide and suggests lie was running to eatcli a tram oi which he had a ticket in his pocket, when he slipped and fell on the rails. ARTIST’S DEATH. LONDON. Aug. 1< ■ R{chard Caton Woodville, an artist battle painter, was found shot in Abdy Road studio. He died on the way to the hospital. He was aged 71, and had a fine war picture in the last Academy. RUSSIAN MOVE. PARIS, Aug. 17. “ L’Eeho de Paris ” says the Soviet is detaining a number of English women married to Russians as hostages, in the event of Britain taking Bctioh against Communists ip England.