GENERAL NEWS ITEMS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2202, 13 November 1920, Page 4

GENERAL NEWS ITEMS.

While riding on the carrier of a motor cycle, Bertha Lawley, a girl of 22, of Knighton, was thrown off by the sudden .slopping of the machine to avoid a collision with grazing horses. The girl fell on her head, and a hairpin penetrated her brain, causing instant death, A coroner’s jury recorded a verdict of accidental death. . 0 Six sons of a Ureal Yarmouth clergyman (Rev. J, A. Bevan) were concerned in a unique church service recently. One son officiated, another preached flic sermon, while the third acted as organist. Die fourth son read the lessons, the fifth was in the choir, and the youngest son formed one of the congregation.

Regarded as a harmles.- war souvenir, a hand grenade kept by a Birmingham family near their fireplace, exploded, causing serious wounds to a boy, and to his mother and cousin. Neighbours who rushed in found the place thick with dust and smoke. Flying segments of the grenade had struck Albert AVainwright (2 -A years old) in half a dozen (daces. One piece had fractured his skull, another had entered his body, a third Had penetrated his forearm, and there were wounds behind the left ear and armpit. He had to be operated upon. Mrs Wainwright received burns to the face and arms, and her four-year-old niece, Dorothy Mary Richardson, had a leg broken. Mackerel sold at Plymouth one

day in September at six for Id, the cheapest price on record. Even at this price several boatloads remained unsold. There was a similar glut along the Cornish coast. From Mevagisscy 500,000 mackerel were dispatched to various markets. At Charlestown large quantities had to he thrown overboard. Many ot the drift boats remain , idle because there would be no market for their catches.

During a swimming race in the Thames at Windsor, a ferocious attack was made upon competitors by a swan. Members of the Windsor Swimming Club wore taking part in a race from Boveney Lock to Romney Lock, and four competitors were in a hunch near Clewer Point when the attack, was made.' Without warning a savage swan, which it is presumed had a nest of young in (he vicinity, raced towards the swimmers with wings spread ready for a conllict. So ferocious was the attitude that the startled competitors turned hastily for the shore, and the race became one of men versus swan. Forunalely rowing boats were close up, and the bird was kept off until the bathers had landed. After the, angry bird had retired the race was resumed.

An extraordinary scene took place recently at Reslit, Persia, where Asannllah Khan has not only been publicly proclaiming his Communist principles, hut has been advocating the emancipation of women and the abolition'of the veil. The Mullahs held an indignation meeting in the open air, which became very excited, and threatened to create-a riot. The Mullahs finally sent for one of (heir leaders, who appeared in the meeting, held up the Koran in his hands, and took a public oath that he abhorred such pernicious doctrines, which were destructive of true religion, sound learning, and the sanctity of domestic life. Nevertheless, the woman's movement grows, and it has many supporters in Teheran. Last winter a large deputation, including well known ladies, waited on the Prime Minister and threatened to ‘blown veils.” The Prime Minister gave a cautious reply and referred them to the religious leaders, against whom he declared himself powerless in the matter.