MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 5 March 1928, Page 1

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

'Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.) AIURDER CHARGE. LONDON, March 2. On the reappearance of Stewart, cabled 24th February, at Alarylebone. the prosecutor read an alleged statement signed by Stewart, to the effect that he first knocked at an adjoining Hat and finding the occupiers at homo, he next broke into Webb’s. He was searching when he heard a voice say ‘•run Cliff.” He called out “hands up” and taking a small pistol from his pocket he opened the door and dashed out, but lie did not see anyone. On reaching the top of the stairs ho received a blow on the face and fell, and struck his head on the banisters, holding the revolver in liis right hand. He heard a report and then a gasp. He was flabergastcd because ho did not seo anyone. He scrambled up and ran into the street. He hoard calls of “stop that man”; and continued running. He discarded the pistol and a few articles of stolen jewellery. He had no intention of shooting or harming anyone, and was terrified next morning to read that Webb was killed. Accused was remanded. ; NAV AL PROMOTION. LONDON, March 2. Commodore Hyde, in command of the Australian Navy, has been promoted to he a Rear-Admiral. EARL HAIG MEMORIAL. (Australian Press Association it Sun.) LONDON, March 2. Earl Haig’s services to the country since the war, were even greater than in war time, said the Prince ot Wales, when inaugurating a 'memorial fund at the Mansion House. He inspired and steadied ex-servicemen in (lie difficult post-war years, standing by them like a rock, when they looked! to him to see them through the transition to civilian life. Tie died in harness, helping ex-service men. He created and inspired the British Legion and devoted the remaining years Of his life to it. Mr Baldwin announced that four trustees to the fund would he appointed by the Prince of Whiles, Mr Ramsay MacDnoald, Air Llovd' George and himself. He added that the trustees would impartially consider the claims from England, Scotland, Ireland and Whiles. He urged all contributions should go to the national fund in reference to a local collection for local purposes. Mr MacDonald said Earl Haig’s distinctive characteristic was his solicitude for the common soldier. He befriended bc-medalled men who spent their only capital, namely their manhood in tho country’s service, returned to the civilian world and found it cold and inhospitable. •phe Prince of Wales iormaliy inaugurated the appeal for which the Lord Mayor opens a Mansion House fund. . The appeal is signed by political leaders, .Earl .lellicoe, Admiral Madden, Field-Marshal Alilnc. Air-Mar-shal Troncliard, and states it lias, been decided that the best memorial, would consist of permanent cottage homes for exservice men. and widows an,l orphans, which will also be available for ex-service men ol tnture generations. They should seek at least half a million sterling. It was originally proposed to include a statue but the Government have decided to erect The Prince of AVales headed the contribution with £250 Sterling. ADMIRAL SIR CECIL LAAIBERI. RUGBY. March 1. Admiral Sir Cecil Lambert, who served both as a member of the Admiralty Board and in Hag commands at sea during the war, and was afterwards Director of Personnel at the Air Afjnistery, died yesterday, at the age of p,o.—British Official Wireless. ROAD MOTOR 'COMPETITION. LONDON, A larch 2. The amalgamation of the three biggest road traction companies, 'Fillings, British Automobile and British Electric, is 'announced, with a capital of two millions, to operate four to live thousand vehicles. It is a certain prelude to a gigantic road war, which the passage of the now Transport Bib is likely to intensify. This statement is ..simultaneous with the announcement. that preliminaries undertaken for the construction of a big motor coach station in central London to cheapen fares on tlie road. Hie sen ice already in existence is astonishing in comparison with rail faros. The specs! and luxury of the new motor coaches are rivalling first class railway pullnian accommodation, at under third class fares. The run from London to Southampton, 79 miles, costs 6s 6d return against the railways 19s lOd. Tho coaches maintain thirty miles an hour average speed. The rapid multiplication of inter-urban door to door services is one of the secrets. The big five of the railways are making urgent efforts to secure competitive road rights, and the latest types of motor coaches, equipped with kitchens and lavatories and seating thirty or more, all splendidly fitted. C'OA IA lON VV;EA I /ITT I>OA N. LONDON, Alarcli 2. The Commonwealth of Australia has underwritten an eight million sterling loan carrying five per cent issued at £9B repayable in 1945-75. The loan came as a great surprise to the Stock Exchange, hut it was not altogether unwelcome, as it is generally assumed this is the issue reported likely to be placed on New York. The prospectus says the loan is issued by the Commonwealth on behalf of itself and States of New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland, The proceeds will be used for developmental works, settlement of migrants from Britain and redemption of securities. HOAIE RULE FOR INDIA. DELHI, Alarch 2. A conference of all Indian political parties at Delhi agreed that Swaraj or home rule constitution to be framed should provide full responsible , government for India and include na- i live States. UNCLE AND NIECE AIAY WED?. LONDON. Feb. 24. Aunts will be able to wed nephews by marriage and uncles their nieces by marriage, if Parliament adopts a bill which Sir Arthur Shirley Benn (Con.) is seeking to introduce. That movement is finding support among all shades of political opinion. Rev. James Barr. Scots Free Kirk Minister, and Labour ALP. for Alotlierwell, announces liis intention of supporting the me-mte white Air. Amnion | Socialist member for Camberwell, says | ' he will follow suit.

It is pointed out T>y Dr. Feldman, a member of the British Council of Social Hygiene, that there is no evidece that the offspring of such unions is of a lower standard than where the parties are not so close an affinity. In countries where the law does not prohibit it, the Jews readily solemnise marriages between uncle and niece. REFUSAL TO EAT ANY FOOD. PERTH, Feb. 24. On a hunger strike since her arrest on February 13, Lizzie Fawcett (40) widow was sentenced to four months’ imprisonment in the City Court on a charge, of obtaining money by fraud. She told the Court she would not obey an order to refund .€4l, and that she will continue to strike. Fawcett has not eaten any food ot any kind since her arrest, and persistently refused to take off her clothes or lay down, but sits in the cell corner throughout the night waiting for daylight. The wardress has offered her eggs, milk, and delicacies which she refused, saying she had often fasted a week. When reminded that if she did not pay the money she would lie taken to Fremantle Gaol where she would not tie allowed to fast, she stated she would resist any attempt to forcibly feed her 'f'lie long fast has not affected her health up fo the present. GLASS EYE FOR. EYE It Y DAY. LONDON, Feb. 23. A new fashion in glass eye is intriguing those who have been so unfortunate as to lose an optic. It is now the light thing to get three eyes, one with a small 'pupil for outdoor wear, another with a slightly larger pupil for general use, and a third with a still larger pupil for evening, when the human eye distends. STOPPED EXPRESS. LONDON, Feb. 24. “I object to the phrase ‘unlawfully and wilfully.’ It was necessity,” exclaimed Edna McAllister of Dring Mouse, Vicarage, when she was charged with pulling the communication cord on a northbound express. She said she was so busy talking with her friend who was temporarily seated in the carriage, seeing her off that neither noticed the train start. She therefore pulled up the train which normally did not stop for 106 miles. 'flic charge was withdrawn on the promise that she would not repeat the offence. rock yields gold coins. , LONDON. Feb. 23. A 13-year-old boy named Ernest Smith, was boating for a shooting party in a Hampshire wood when he picked up a large round flint, and hurled it at a rock, which burst, disgorging 65 ancient British gold coins. At the coroner’s inquest a verdict of “treasure trove” was given, and therefore the. money belongs to the King; but in accordance with custom, the boy will get 80 per cent. Ins share amounting to £SO. The British Museum and the Mint bought the majority of the coins.