MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 7 December 1927, Page 1

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

(Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.) WOOL SALES. LONDON, Dec. 5. At the wool sales 9828 bales were offered, of which 0382 bales were Australian, and 3314 bales New Zealand. There was an excellent selection of merinos almost exclusively suitable for the Continent and a good selection of medium slipes, but only an average lot of greasy crossbreds, principally fine. The market was very firm. There was strong Continental competition for all descriptions of New Zealand Mana 321 291 li.f.c. Diamond 40-38. Bradford is marking time, the spinners and topmakers cannot make the prices corresponding to the wool basis.

CABLE V. WIRELESS. LONDON, Dec. o. The Eastern Cable Coy. lias issued a statement that their associated companies, as far hack as 25th October, iniormed the post office of the action they contemplated in regard to wireless competition, but deferred action on the Post Office’s intimation that it was consulting other departments and hoped to deal with the matter before the end of the year. It had been consistently rumoured it was proposed to reduce the cable rates on 31st December to the same level as wireless rates, and in this connection it was stated beam controllers were ready for a further cut to maintain the existing margin. This rate war might be obviated as the result of a meeting of interested parties being held on Wednesday. JAPANESE MISSION. TOKIO. Dec. 5. Prince Goto, accompanied by his suite and secretariat, have left for Berlin via Moscow. It is generally accept-

ed that the mission seeks closer relations between Japan, Germany and Russia.

CABLE RECORD. LONDON, Dec. 5. Over twelve million words of international traffic were transmitted by the Pacific Cable Board system during the twelve months ended 31st March, which is a record and 120.000 words in excess of 1920. According to the Board’s report full rate messages dropped .one hundred thousand words. This is attributed to the attraction of cheaper

services. Week-end messages dropped 130.000 words but the increase in deferred government and press messages more l than counter-balanced those decreases. The speed of the new loaded surface cables surpassed expectations. The contractors guarantee of six hundred words per minute was more than doubled under test, and it is anticipated the speed could he further increased should the 1 traffic demand it. Receipts totalled £1(57.0(13, an increase of £13,1(57. and exceeded the working expenses by £178,384. The l Board paid the National Debt Commissioner’s annuity of £77.514, and devoted the surplus Lo reserve and renewal fund in compliance with the recent act.

KLYT.NG LINERS. LONDON, Doc. 5. A new air era will Login with the launching of two 1500 horse-power allmetal Hying boats, which are being rapidly completed at Rochester. Those, together with the R.IOO. are the latest word in air liners. The flying boats will be employed in experimental llights lrom England to Australia. The giant tapering hull, reminiscent of the submarines, will ride out the roughest, seas. It carries fifteen, and has a port-holed refreshment buffet. It is fitted with a small engine operating an underwater screw, which will drive, them lihe a motor yacht on a .suitable spot for taking off. A SHOCKING AFFRAY. BELGRADE, Dec. 0. A shocking affray occurred in a restaurant at Struninit/.a, as the lesulfc of a lightning raid by a gang of bandits from Bulgaria. A fusihule of revolver shots was heard and the police rushing to the scene, found several Serbian officers and a woman and child dead, and another officer seriously wounded. The bandits escaped firing in all directions, including shots at the police patrol, of whom two were badly wounded, together with five civilians.

WAR AT All FORD’S POSITION. LONDON, Dec. 6. The ordering off ol lord confronts the Welsh Rugby Union with one of the most intricate points ever before them. The Brownlie ease is no precedent, because it was the last match ol the tour. The Waratahs have still many fixtures. Furthermore the Waratahs are under the auspices of the International Board. In view of the fact that the Cardiff match was not an international, there is no machinery to deal with the matter. Rules exist to deal with English and Welsh players in similar circumstances, but the position of an Australian player is a problem. The Welsh Union may take the easy course and report to the New South Wales Union. Some weeks must elapse before judgment is passed, heme Ford's position is interfered with. .Meanwhile as fractured ribs prevent Bowers again playing with the Wuratnsli during the tour he is returning home.