NEWS BY MAIL

Hokitika Guardian, 5 July 1929, Page 7

NEWS BY MAIL

PORTUG U BSE ACTION

SALISBURY (Southern Rhodesia) May 17.

Charges against Portuguese officials have been made to the Southern Rhodesia Government by Mr Parlett, a onc-anned British subject.

During a hunting, trip in Portuguese East Africa Mr Parlett, bv accident, shot a cow elephant, a “protected” animal.

On reporting the occurrence, according to statements made in the Southerni Rhodesia Assembly, Mr Parlett was placed under an armed guard and threatened with imprisonment;. His native boys were arrested. He abandoner his kit and escaped over the border. , Southern umxlesian law officials are inquiring into (lie matter. [lt will be recalled that in December 1927 Air Brewer, second officer of the liner Clan Lamond, was arrested at Benguella, Portuguese West Africa, on a charge of being concerned in the theft of goods of ttie value of £l. He was only released after 450 days’ imprisonment. Air Brewer has emphatically declared his innocence.

CALCUTTA “SWEEP.”

CALCUTTA, India, May 17

The Calcutta- Derby sweepstake numbers issued up to 3 p.m. yesterday, I have been officialy informed, represent a total value pf £900,000. There is still a heavy waiting ’list, and a large staff is working late each night. A prominent official of the Turf Club tells me that i<- is more than possible that the grand total will he £1,250,000. The list closes on Alay 25.

The amount subscribed to the London Stock Exchange sweepstake on tlie Derby was £1,000,000.

COCK-FIGHT RAID

BIRDS WITH STEEL SPURS,

LONDON, Alay 17. Thomas Ganail ' Johnson, a metal dealer, jof Choi last on, near Derby, \ya« summoned at Derby yesterday' for permitting his premises to be used for .ock-fighting. Harry John Swam, i lampman, of Birclnvood, near Somercotes, Derby, was summoned . for causing the birds to fight.

Nine men were summoned for •“ass.sting.” Air F. W. Gentle, prosecuting ,for the R.S.P.C.A., said that when the police made tlie raid two game eocki were fighting fiercely in a shed erected in a field in a quiet spot. Each had a pair of steel spurs. Seales and weights, apparently used in weighing the birds before the fight, were. also. . found. Swairi had evidently matched his bird against Johnson’s. Tlie two cocks were, carried into court, and •as ' they were' handed up to ihe magistrate they'crowed loudly. Alderman* W. G. Peach, the chairman of the Bench, said Johnson and S\vain would each be fined £2l and £5 ss. costs. , 1

The summonses against the nine mei for assisting would be dismissed. .

The Bench ordered tlie two birds to be confiscated.

NEW, uuLES FOR HOTELS

NEW YORK, May 17

Hotels and golf clubs' in Chicago have decided to guard the conscience!: of their visitors and members. They are doing tlii3 reluctantly but drastically, fearful of the Government’s prohibition padlock. They have decided that no ice. mineral waters, or ginger ale shall Tie served in private. Club officials and hotel proprietors held a corfferenoe and listened to a decision gi-en by District Judge Lindley that the services of these-innoc-uous thirst. reLievers might lead to liquor drinking, and that even thong! no alcohol was purchased, those supplying the means to its enjoymen were liable to prosecution under the Federal Prohibit on Act. THE PLEDGE.

The Hotel Stevens, the world’s largest hostelry, has informed its patrons that no ice will he sent to their rooms, although the usual running ice water will not be withdrawn from tin taps: Tlie Alorrison Hotel, unwilling to hinder guests from drinking ginger aie, requests, on delivery of any nonalcoholic beverage, that visitors shall sign a card which reads: “The undersigned agrees not to use this to mix with intoxicated liquors.” The Olympia Fields Golf Club will not serve ice water, and pTayers must go. to the nearest fountain to quench their thirst. The South Shore Country Club notifies: “We do not keep ginger ale; ,if people are thirsty the; can drink water or tea.”