HOME AND FOREIGN NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 117, 3 October 1912, Page 3

HOME AND FOREIGN NEWS.

TOLL OF THE ALPS,

The following details have been rewired from Kggishorne regarding an Alpine accident which resulted in the n i 1 ' < ? f tile well "known mountaineer. JJr. Andreas Fischer, whose body has not "T, K e , en found - While crossing the little Albeschhorn on July 21, Dr. Fischer with a friend, Dr Jenny, of Olton, and tlie guide, Allmer, of Grindelwald, were surprised; by a terrible snowstorm. All three slipped, and fell several .hundred yards down a steep rocky slope, where tliey remained for hours unconscious. Ur Jenny and Allmer eventually recovered consciousness, but Dr Fischer appeared to be fatally injured. His com'lwnions set off to get ■assistance, but tost their way, and got separated in the darkness.

A tourist named Weber, of Berlin fell over a precipice 1000 ft down near Meran m the Tyrol, .on July 31. His body was completely shattered. -

An engineer named Lohe and a miller'g I son named Luschen also fell to their death on the Hoe%taufl'en and the Ankog'i respectively. An Austrian student named Berger fell' into the lake while rock climbino on the shores of the Kongisee, and his body mis not yet been found. Two girls of Neuchatel, trying to climb the Dent de Luisin, slipped and fell, one being killed and the other seriouslv in- I jured. J

LONDON SOCIETY'S LATEST FAD,

Jhe latest fad of London society is to drink afternoon tea through straws, the use of which makes it unnecessary for ladies to .remove their veils.

LADY TRAM CONDUCTORS.

Tired of the labor disputes by which its tram service is evtery now and then being, disorganised, the Rapid Transit Company in Philadelphia is experimenting With the employment of women as conductors on the street cars. The company is well pleased with the results of the innovation far as it ha* been triedj and believes that it lias hit upon a solution of the strike problem.

GOLD IN BAFFINLAND.

A private expedition to Baffinland in search of gold has returned. The expedi-tion-was unsuccessful in acliicving its first object, but enormous deposits of coal and iron were traced. The survivors of the Munn expedition were rescued by the prospectors. Their ship had been crushed in the icefloes and had: eunk. Munn said he had found gold, but it was impossible for him to continue his exploration work after the loss of the ship.

NO G}FTS,FROM MONARCHS,

An article in the Swiss Constitution forbids officials to accept, presents or orders from foreign Sovereigns. During jhi« recent visit to Switzerland the German Emperor distributed a large number of gifts, the recipients of which have since excused themselves on the ground tJiat it would have been an ungracious act «n their part to refuse those marke of Royal favor. In future the attention <?f visiting foreign rulers will be directed to the existing inhibition with regard to presents.

LONDON POSTAL INNOVATION.

For the convenience of large business firms the British Postal Department, has just issued stamps in roll form . There are both large and small rolls, the former containing 1000 and the latter 500 stamps. . .1 . .

SOUTH AFRICAN MAIL CONTRACT.

The South African mail contract binds the steamship company with which it Urns been concluded to carry immigrants at rates 20 per cent. less than the ordinary third-ekes rates. The ships to be employed in the service will be of 15,000 tons and flitted with triple screws.

WAGES LN GLASGOW.

The Glasgow Municipal Council 'has decided to pay all its able-bodied laborers a weekly wage of 255, which is an increase of 2s on the present rate. A thousand workmen will benefit by the increase. , ' ■

POUR SCREW STEAMER. The first steamship to carry four propellors, with a combination of turbine and reciprocating machinery is being constructed in one of the Tyne shipbuilding yards. Her designers claim for her that on an economical consumption of fuel she will steam 17% knots an hour..

RHODESIA AND THE UNION. It is asserted that Rhodesia 'wishes to be incorporated in the South African Union, and will object to the extension of the British South Africa Company's charter, which expires in two years' time.

PROTEST AGAINST VIVISECTION. Miss E. M. Braddon, the well-known novelist, and a number of titled lady members of the Canine League are agitating against the use of the dog for vivisoctional, inoculative, and other like experiments. They hold that the.friendship between man and dog that has existed for ages places their relations on a footing unequalled in history.

• THE PRINCE OF WALES. The Prince of Wales goes to Magdalen College, Oxford, shortly. The Prince will not associate with the other undergraduates.