NEWS BY MAIL.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 August 1929, Page 2

NEWS BY MAIL.

“NEPMEN” TO GO. RIGA, Latvia, June 24. Tlio Moscow newspapers publish lists ot tlie first “Nepmen’ who are to he deported. Nepmen are private traders who embraced tiie “new economic po.icy,” started by Lenin, which allows a certain degree of private trading, and their success had aroused' the envy of the present Soviet rulers. The traders, and also many former householders and others who are classed as “parasites,” must leave their homes within three days, their only consultation being that they will leave crowded, starving Moscow and other centres where a pound of flour obtained by secret and unofficial means now costs as much as 3s. Fresh emnetus is also being given to the persecution of persons as Monarchists.

WHITE SLAVE GANG. PARIS, June 24. A big “ white slave” gang operating in Canada, Spain and South America has been broken up, it is believed, by the arrest of a Frenchman named Thebault and a Swiss named Schenardi. Thebault served six years’ imprisonment for his association with motor bandits and afterwards was sent to a disciplinary battalion at Angoulemc. He deserted and fled to Spain. . There he became one of the most popular barmen in Madrid, forged a passport, and bought a high-powered motor-car. He made frequent trips to see Schenardi, the head, it is alleged, of the “white slave” traffic in Canada. Detectives arrested the two at Schenardi’s hotel here, and found there a quantity of jewellery belonging to a young woman who is alleged to have been robbed after she had refused to listen to the men’s proposals. Thebault had' £4OO in Spanish money and Schenardi £5,000 in Canadian dollars.

£2,000 TO WIN £1 RET. Nr.W YORK, June 2L Lawyers delight in golf, and, with their keen sense of logic, are sensitive to their own indifferent play. This, at least, was the conviction of George "Neil, the professional at the Lake Shore Country Club, when Mr Alfred S. Austrian, a Chicago lawyer, came to him with a strange proposal. “ I will give you £2.090,” said Mr Austrian, “if you will teach me to break 80.” 1

Neil accepted the task, although he confessed afterwards that no overnight miracle was accomplished. Months of strenuous toil were devoted to the job, and then, two days ago, he said to Mr Austrian, “Go out and play; return and pay!”’ Mr Austrian went out three times to be assured of his new ski\l. Tils scores were 78, 70, and 77.

Then he paid the money. Neil slowly pocketed the cheque, wondering why anybody should be willing to pay so much achieve the ambition olf going round the course in fewer than 80 strokes. He could not resist putting the question to Mr Austrian, who replied, “To win a £1 bet,”