BRIEF ITEMS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 221, 19 June 1928, Page 10

BRIEF ITEMS

FROM FAR AND NEAR Manawatu Gorge Slip Delays Trains.— Due to a small slip on the Manawatu Gorge line, train traffic through that district. was delayed for about an hour last night. Large Whale Ashore.—-A whale measuring 74 feet in length and 14ft. high came up the Firth of Thames on Sunday. It became stranded on a shell bank in the Waihou River, near Thames, and was later hauled up on the beach, where it attracted much attention.—Press Assn. Tuberculosis Committee.—The members of the Tuberculosis Committee who visited the I’ukeora Sanatorium during the week-end, hearing the evidence of the medical superintendent, ajid seeing every patient, left on Sunday night for Palmerston North, en route for Auckland, states a Press Association message from Waipukurau. Inquiry Into Bribery Charges.—At the Royal Commission, at Sydney, inquiring into Mr. Lambert’s charges of bribery, Mr. Theodore recalled, gave evidence that he never at any time gave Mahoney money consideration in order to secure the latter’s resignation. The only money he gave him was £2OO and £5, and both mounts were subscriptions to Mahoney’s testimonial.—Press Assn.

Prayer Book Revision.—At its quarterly session held on Saturday the District Grand Lodge of the Loyal Orange Institution passed the following resolution, which the Grand Master sent by cable to London yesterday: “That the Wellington District Grand Lodge Executive of the L. 0.1 congratulates Sir William Joynson Hicks on the firm stand taken by him in regard to the revision of the. Prayer Book, resulting in the defeat of the measure for its adoption.”

Dominion’s Biggest Reflecting Mirror. —New Zealand’s biggest reflecting mirror is being carefully tested by Professor Florence at Victoria College. This mirror, which is 20lin. in diameter, is used for astronomical purposes and cost hundreds of pounds to construct. It was made by the late Mr. J. T. Ward, of Wanganui, who ground it carefully to a -special shape, accurate to a thousandth part of an inch. If it passes the series of stringent scientific tests now being made it will be resilvered and erected for astronomical telescopic purposes in New Zealand.