BRITISH AND FOREIGN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 October 1927, Page 3

BRITISH AND FOREIGN NEWS.

Vustralian & N.Z. Cable Association.) NEW SPANISH PARLIAMENT. LONDON, Oct. 11. The “ Times ” Madrid correspondent states: King Alfonso formally opened the Spanish Assembly. Senor Yanguas, President of the Assembly, emphasised that its mission was largely advisory, the Executive retaining exceptional powers in the public interest. He declared that King Alfonso’s reign had been marked by a national revival, in which His Majesty was the most foremost and efficient workman.

BRITISH BOUTS TO BE SHORTENED. LONDON, Oct. 11. The “ Daily Mail’s ” boxing correspondent says: The action of the National Sporting Club in limiting title contests to fifteen rounds, whereas they have hitherto been twenty rounds, will be welcomed by the British boxers, who have long been handicapped by foreign opponents, and particularly Americans, being trained for twelve to fifteen rounds. The public will benefit by seeing better and brighter boxing.

ARCHDEACON OF FIJI. (Received this duv at 9.30 a.m.) SUVA, Oct, 12. Rev. W. .T. Hinds, a New Zealander, lias been appointed Archdeacon of Fiji. SHIPBUILDING RETURNS. LONDON, Oct. 11. Lloyd’s returns for three months ended 30th. September shows the following figures. Total ship construction in progress throughout the world, 3,074,000, which though an increase on previous quarter is still 37-1,000 below the highest pre-war record in 1913. Tonnage under construction in Great Britain and Ireland 1,530,000 which is 761,000 more than a year ago and the highest since Sept. 1922, but still 351,000 below the average of 1913 tonnage. Construction in Britain decreased

from -137,000 to 370,000 but tonnage launched was 355,000, an increase of 88,000. The return reflects a striking development in motor ships of which 1,589,000 tons are being built throughout the world compared with steam 1,186,000. In Britain and Ireland motor ships under construction represents seventy-four per cent, of steam.

A ROMANCE. (Received tins day at 12.25 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 11. A little romance lies behind the radiogram from Port Stanley, Falkland Islands, received by Dumfries shipping agents. “ Married, 8/10/27. Hunter.” Eighteen months ago Robert Hunter was exiled to a remote part of the Falklands and lie wrote to the shipping agents asking them to find him a wife. 11 It is lonely but she will get used to it.” The shipping agents put a notice in their window to which many lassies were attracted and eventually the choice fell on a widow living alone in apartments. Negotiations, which were protracted owing to there being only two mails a. year, ended with today’s cable climax.

HORATI O BOTTOM LEY. LONDON, Oct. 12. Bottomlcy’s first public lecture since bis release attracted thousands to Queen’s Hall. Prolonged cheering greeted his reading of a letter from the foreman of the jury at his trial: “ Tho cruel sentence came as a great surprise to the members of the jury. We had not expected anything like it. In our opinion you had no intention of defrauding anyone.”

Bottom ley continued so much did the people believe he was done for, that they began kicking his carcase about like a football, covering it with dirt, with the result that there was consternation in many offices, which were being bomarded with writs for libel.

BATTLEFIELD FOR SALE. PARIS, Oct. 11. The whole battlefields on the western front is so badly torn that it is practically useless for any purpose, is up for sale. Thus far only 400 out of 100,000 devastated acres are disposed of. The Government are now cutting the ground up into small lots.