SWINDLING THE SAVANTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 224, 20 September 1924, Page 7

SWINDLING THE SAVANTS.

A PLAUTUS MANUSCRIPT. WRITTEN IN ANILINE INK. (Received 11 a.m.) LONDON, September 19. The "Morning Post's" StrassbuTg correspondent says there has been an amazing victimisation of Prussian j ■ classical savants. The Prussian National Library purchased a parchment alleged to be the unknown work of Plautus. German professors learnedly commented, but the French palaeographer (31. Chatelain) doubted its authenticity, whereupon an analysis of the ink revealed traces of aniline dye of recent orifrin. This discovery was made just in time to prevent the further purchase of an alleged fragment.— (A. and X.. Cable.) THE NORTHUMBERLAND. LINER REACHES PORT. FIRE UNDER CONTROL. FREMANTLE, September 19. When the Federal liner Nprthumberland, which sent a radio message that her No. 4 hold was on fire, arrived, the lire was still smouldering, ibut was under control. The outbreak started on Friday last. The crew had an anxious time. They kept the tlames in check, however, until the steamer reached port. The hold where the fire started contains over 1000 bags of parcels post mails for the various States, besides general cargo, including rubber goocla. The daaiage will not be known until the hatch is opened.—(A. and N.Z. Cable.)