GENERAL NEWS ITEMS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 2024, 4 September 1919, Page 4

GENERAL NEWS ITEMS.

Charles Hannan, the author, recently issued the text of a curious correspondence between himself and the British; Government regarding his claim to be an inventor of smoke boxes against submarine attack. Mr Hannan claims his invention was adopted, but his stipulation that the reward should be a "“good old-fash-ioned knighthood and pension equivalent,” Was ignored. In February he was informed “it was not found possible to place - his name in the present honour list, but you shall again receive consideration. ’ How'ever, no knighthood was forthcoming, and Mr Hanaii now- presents the correspondence to the public. At Clcrkenwell Court, John Gan-, der, 44, manager of the National Bank, Camden Town, was recently charged with using insulting-words and behaviour at St. Pancras. Constable Hignell said a young woman complained to him. He sa w Gander and brought him back to her. She said he had passed her more than once and stared in her face. Miss Ivy Lee said she complained of the man's conduct. He did not speak to her, but frightened her. For the defence it was pleaded that a mistake had been made.- Gander, it \vas staled, went out after supper, and w’as arrested as he turned into the road. Mr Gill, the magistrate said he had no doubt, ajnl fined Gander 40s.

The report- of the Collector of the Port of New York shows that 11 1 0 Customs receipts on luxuries, mainly diamonds and precious stones, have reached the phenomena! sum of £200,000 'daily. Works of art are also said to be reaching-America at a. rate which seems to justify, the fears expressed by a London art critic of the “art-devouring monster of the West.'’ Europe appears to be exchanging its gems and artistic treasures for American cash, and in this way to be restoring the equilibrium disturbed by the -war. America is now importing great quantities of carpets and embroideries from Great Britain, underwear and perfumery from France, antiques and silver and glass articles from Italy, and silks, dressed fur, and skins from Swu/erlaud. The Belgian State- Railways have organised a throe days lour Horn London, during which the visitor is escorted in a private -motor ear round places where the; fate of England hung in the balance through long and bitter hours. The inclusive is £l2 12s, visitors travelling iirst-class throughout. It is guaranteed that this sum includes not only railway fare, but also hotel accommodation and food from the time of leaving London until the return. Visitors arc taken to Belgium via Dover and Oslend, Zeebrugge is visited, and a whole day is devoted to a lour of the battlefields, The itinerary includes Ypves, the Yser, the “Big Bertha.” at Leugenboom, Dixmiule, Poeleapelle, Zdlebeke, St, Julien, Forest of lloulhulst, Pervyee, and Fumes. The Surrey police recently had a trying time scouring Hie common land around Woking in seared) of a man who had been captured and had escaped three*times, alter having been discovered on the premises of the Woking Co-operative Society during tjie time they were closed. When seen on the premises lie dashed into I lie street and stole a bicycle, but was knocked down and overpowered. Wrenching himself free he rushed into some gardens, but after a chase was caught and taken back to the stores. As the manager was telephoning for the police the man climbed through a window into a backyard, but when making for the street he was tripped up and again captured. He got away once more, and, mounting another bicycle, made for the canal, into which he leapt. The famous Hanoverian cream ponies used by the British Sovereigns on State occasions are threatened with extinction owing to the war, and the Royal master of the house is making a special trip to Holland and Belgium to endeavour to obtain new blood. There arc only ten of the ponies left in the Royal stud, and some of them are getting too old for show" work.- The “creams” arc pure Flemish-bred, originally imported into England from Hanover by George the First. From Time to. time fresh specimens have been imported to keep up the breed, but the demands of-war have used up all supplies.