NEWS BY MAIL.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 May 1928, Page 4

NEWS BY MAIL.

ALPINE LEPERS.

GENEVA, March 20. J lie death at the isolation hospital aQ Brigue ol the last of three lepers recalls a mystery which Swiss scientists have never been able to explain. According to the account published in a Geneva newspaper, the disease could not have been contracted by contact with infected persons, as the three men never lolt their native village. The medical theory is that leprosy once existed in the remote Alpine hamlet where they lived and that the last vestiges of the disease must have remained in existence ior many years unsuspected. TWO QUEENS. LONDON, March 20. Storms of cheering broke from a great crowd waiting outside Drury l ane 'ilieatre last night when the Queen of Afghanistan, with Queen Mary, arrived to see the performance of “'file Desert Song.” Queen Alary and the Queen of Afghanistan were immediately ushered into the reception room, wliieh was- a veritable bower of roses. Bed, white, and ( ream roses overflowed from vases tied with silver and black chiffon. In other cases were lovely tiger lilies and fragrant white lilac. The. orchestra was playing an overture when the Queens appeared in the box. which was draped with the Union Jack and the Afghan colours. At once the music merged into the Afghan National Anthem, and afterward* “ God Rave the King” was played. SUPERh PICTURE. A.s they stoml ssile by side* in the brilliant .light the two Queens made a superb picture. The Queen of Afghanistan. in a dress of white satin, gleamed with pearls and glittered with diamonds ; a wide tiara flashed and burned on lier forehead and, rows of pearls shimmered over her breast. Queen Mary, too, wore a gorgeous tiara and a diamond necklace. Her dress was of grey satin. While the two Queens still stood side by side the audience cheered again and again. Queen Mary turned towards the Queen of Afghanistan and bowed to her as if to say: “The applause is to

you.” The Queen of Afghanistan shook her bead, but smiled delightedly.