GENERAL NEWS ITEMS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2089, 12 February 1920, Page 4

GENERAL NEWS ITEMS.

Mystery .surrounding -the hidden gold hoarded up in the-bedroom of his house at Bow by a retired eo-c-oanut merchant was cleared up recently, when the said containing the life's savings of itr Asher Levy was opened in the basement of the Bow Koad branch of -Barclay’s Bank. Roman tic stories of the huge wealth accumulated by, the-mld man-proved to be well founded, for the total estate is worth about £OO,OOO, including over £O,OOO in sovereigns, the title deeds of 14 houses, a great quantity of banknotes, and some valuable 'antique jewellery. No will was found in the same or elsewhere, although diligent search has been made, and there is accordingly great excitement and speculation among the" numerous members of Asher Levy’s family us to the disposal of the property, There are some 50 aspirants to a

share .in the fortune, and they are all waiting am the tip-toe of expectation ;f or the legal verdict. Ex-Private H. W. Ball, the winner of the £15,540 prize in I lie army sweepstake on the Manchester November Handicap, spent the week--end receiving wonld-he congriitulators at his home at Leigh-on-Sea. He travelled up to London with his father, and in the train they opened some of the large number of letters received... Another huge post was awaitihg- him at his father’s oftiee. ‘•Some of the letters my .son !ms received are simply amazing, ’ said Mr T. ll.' Ball. “Several people with large families ask for help to keep them, and others whose wives have gone astray beg for assistance to try to trace them. There were also, of course, other letters asking him to invest his money and become a millionaire for certain.” Through?■out the day ft steady stream of callers presented themselves at his father’s premises, also at the bottling stores in Brittania Street, where lie is employed, but Privat e Ball wars not to be fonncl. Hundreds of congratulations were also received over the -telephone. . Laughter rang through the Guildford Court when Henry Charles Dench, chauffeur, was summoned for removing a. goat, contrary to the Surrey Foot and Mouth Disease Order; It was stated that his .mistress telephoned to the chauffeur to meet her; at the station and bring a coat. The chauffeur thought she said “goat,” as his mistress keeps goats. He took one in the car. The husband, who is taking a governors] l .ip in the Straits Settlements, sent his explanatioK, and the case was dismissed. Dr. Cyril Forster Barbell, newly consecrated Bishop of Southwark, says that England is saturated with , superstitions as an aftermath of the war. The eflicacy -of charms is beileved in by many persons of all classes. The Church will not ridicule lliesc beliefs, but will attempt to counter-act them by teaching.. The eighteen-year-old Mayoress of Grimsby, Miss Edna Hobbs, attended her first public function when she opened a working men’s chrysanthemum show. The Mayoress showed no signs of nervousness, and in a bright speech said she was sure the cultivation of chrysanthemums, must have a good influence on the lives, of the cultivators. Chrysanthemums were her favourite dower. Switzerland is appealing .to the Powers to rcpalriafc all prisoners,, pointing oul that 100,00(1 men are still in captivity a year after the a rmist ice. A Parisian paper announces that all subscribers will be allowed to purchase ten pounds of sugar at cost price, and since sugar is one of the scarcest commodities iti Paris at the present time, it is likely that flic circulation of the paper is in for a considerable boom. Are there any women gravediggers who can beat. .Miss Janie Beeching.’ She claims in be 41,10 only one in England,-and can ding earth up to the surface from a depth of .-even feel. In the busy 'season .she works by candlelight. A remarkable story was (old at a Brighton inquest, of a man falling some 70 feet from (he cliffs opposite.. Kosdeau College ami lying at I lie foot, helpless, and conscious, for two days and nights. The man, who died from his injuries, was W illiam Skinner, of Hove. His own statement before lie died was that, walking off the effects of drink, lie"fell over the cliff, catching the sides several times, and a-lightiug on a. soft lied of shingle. He was so injured that he could not move, and there ho lay from the Sunday night till the Tuesday morning. The sea at high tide just approached him, but did not cover him. Skinner alleged that two men -found him on the Monday and promised to help, hut Wont away and left him. He was seen by chance on Tuesday/ by two Brighton men who passed, and was taken to the Royal- Sussex Hospital with his back severely injured.