NEWS BY MAIL.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 July 1928, Page 3

NEWS BY MAIL.

POWER FRO A l THEI SEA. PARIS, AI ay 8

, By utilising the difference in temperature between tlie surface of the ocean and the water at a depth of 6000 ft, or thereabouts, AI. Georges Claude, the French scientist who invented synthetic ammonia, is convinced that it is possible to produce « ceaseless an 1 gigantic supply of energy with little expenditure. AI. Claude, who owns and controls some of tho most Important factories in France, has been working on the problem fn conjunction with his friend Professor Bouelierot, of the Academy of Science. Professor Bouelierot has just completed tests with a small model turdrine whose action was based on the difference in temperature of tlie ocean at different levels. Ho drove the model at 3000 revolutions a minute. A difference in temperature of 7.2 degrees Fabr. was found sufficient to actuate tlie turbine, whereas in the tropics the difference in temperatuie of the sea at the surface and at the bottom is about 36 degrees.

HAVANA STATION. It is planned to start work almost immediately on tho first power-sta-tion which is to produce perpetual 50,000 kilowatts motion from the sea for commercial purposes at Havana. Cuba. It is intended later to build power plants on tlie coasts of Brittany anil Normandy, where the energy will bo supplied by the Gulf Stream. Iht const of Cornwall and Devonshire is also stated to show sufficient fluctuations of .-temperature to make possible the setting up of plants which ultimately wouid be able to supply power to the whole of the west country at trilling cost.

1,000 CIDER. TASTERS. BRISTOL, A lay 8 There were picturesque scenes today at the annual eider tasting at the National Fruit and Cider Institute, Long Ashton, Somerset. A thousand people were present. A hundred and eighty farmers bad sent the Institute 15ewt of eider apples and perry pears to be milled in competition for prizes in the six classes. There were IG4 eiders and 1G perries to be tasted as well as !) eiders made from Tasmanian apples sent to Long Ashton for trial by the Australian Government. 'I be whole made 18!) different drinks set cut in a forest of bottles with Innumerable glasses on tables around the eider house. .Some of the bale patriarchs of the cider press, assisted by an occasional nibble of cheese, gave expert attention to a good proportion of the whole. A feature of tlie day was the number of assiduous women tasters. A Somerset farmer explained "that the women were looking for the most suitable eider to put on the table to keep their husbands at home. The ■search for a cider the men like is becoming a problem now the breweries are making cider and tying their houses to their own drink. All day the tasting went forward, but there was a Somerset lunch under the orchard tre£s.

BLOW TO AIOSCOW. RIGA, Latvia. May 8.

Officials of the Ilarmnan manganese concession in the Cliiaturskiaija. district of the Caucasus Alountnins have announced their intention to discontinue activities in Russia and take a huge loss rather than work under the threats of Communist union loaders. The statement lias created consternation in Aloseow, which is witnessing tho failure of one large concession alter another. It is a serious blow to Soviet propaganda to induce groups of foreign capitalists to exploit the natural riches of the country. ■ 4 ‘ PROMISES IGNORED. Goi|iiniissar Tomski, leader of the Soviet Labour Unions, is reported to have offered the American engineers guarantees against further labour troubles. The concession holders refus ed. however, to listen to his promises. The Lena Goldfields Company, an English concern which lias taken contro 1 of its former property upon a eoneessim/hasis and which is operating with British and American capital, is also having serious labour trouble.

TTarrimans’ investments in Russia are reported to be more than £2,000,091) while the Lena company’s investments arc also large. Alanv powerful German industrial groups which during the past ti\o yoais obtained concessions in Russia have already withdrawn with big losses —and bitter experiences. The latest to leave Moscow is the large building firm ol Ivossel, which participated in joint Russo-German construction.

BTSHOP KICKS OFF. LEICESTER, Alay 8. Leicester clergymen played Leicester lawyers at Association football on the Leicester City ground this evening, the proceeds going to a charitable object. This was the first time the lawyers had opposed them and tlie reason has made Leicester laugh. (n previous years the clergymen played a team of county police. Last year three of the police were on the sick list for a time through injuries, and this year the .chief constable forbad© his men to play, saying he could not risk further injuries.

The lawyers, however, got a team together, ‘including Aubrey Sharp, the Leicestershire county cricketer. al „l a good footballer in his younger days, and they have been training strenuously. The clergymen used to be able t boast of an archdeacon in their eleven but nowadays they have nothing higher than a few vicars, including the Rev. Harold Hui'st. formerly o Northampton, who was once one ol the best amateur left backs m - ><’ MHlainas-v. A E Kinipton. to whose enmgy the games lu,vo been due Ims „,.i e d as amateur sandwichman ino- tlie past week to advertise ,ie affair, and when the Bishop of Leicester kicked off there was a good ciowd.