ITEMS IN BRIEF

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 75, 21 December 1928, Page 8

ITEMS IN BRIEF

FROM FAR AND NEAR The Schneider Cup.— The French Aero Club is entering two seaplanes for the Schneider Cup.—Australian Press Assn. Ballot Favours Safeguarding.—The Yorkshire Worsted Spinners Operatives’ Federation ballot shows a large majority in favour of the safeguarding proposal for the dress goods industry.—British Official Wireless. Largest Indoor Ice Rink.—Lady Hoare opened the world's largest indoor ice rink, at Richmond. The rink is 28G feet by S 5 feet, and will accommodate a thousand skaters, and the galleries will seat 2500 spectators.—Australian Press Assn. Traveller Found Dead.—A Press Association message from Napier states that Henry Duncan Morton, a traveller, believed to belong to Dunedin, was found dead in the harbour. Prorogation of Parliament. —A Gazette Extraordinary issued yesterday formally prorogues Parliament until Thursday, March 28, next. Western Australian Prohibition Referendum.—The Western Australian Legislative Assembly passed a Bill to postpone the quinquennial prohibition referendum from 1930 to 1935.—Press Assn. Woollen Company’s Critical Position. —The Riverina Woollen Manufacturing Company’s position is critical owing to a series of financial losses. A proposal is afoot to close the works at Wagga Wagga.—Press Assn. Sydney’s New Buildings.— Statistics tabled at the Sydney Water Board meeting showed that the value of the new buildings erected in the metropolitan area during the year reached the enormous total of £16,100,173. The number of buildings erected was 11,878. —- Press Assn. Increased Freight Rates.—The Federal authorities and. shipping representatives, commenting on the cabled report of increases to be made in the freights, point out that no change is likely in the rates on goods going to Britain. The increases refer only to outward rates.— Press Assn. Thefts from Post Office. — At the Oamaru Magistrate’s Court yesterday Leonard Walter Cooper pleaded guilty to the theft of letters at the Kurow Post Office, burning down the post office, breaking and entering and theft at Oamaru, and several lesser charges of theft, states a--Press Association telegram. He was committed for sentence. Amalgamation Negotiations.—Sir Arthur Dorman, presiding at Dorman, Long, and Company's meeting, mentioned the coming amalgamation ‘with Bolckow. Vaughan, and Company, states an Australian Press Association message, from London. Both boards had agreed to amalgamate to advance the interests of the companies, if an equitable arrangement could be reached.

Loan Proposal Carried.—A New Plymouth Borough loan proposal for £76,500 for hydro-electric power and water supply extensions was carried at a ratepayers’ poll by a majority of 704. It was a very small poll, 1187 voting for the proposal, and 474 against.—Press Assn.

Gift of Classical Scholarship.—A gift of £lOOO from Sir. James Coates to found a classical scholarship at King’s College was announced by the headmaster, Canon Archdall, at the college breaking-up ceremony yesterday, states a special message from Auckland. The scholarship is to be in memory of the late Dr. Kinder, for many years headmaster of the old Parnell Grammar School.

Minister Visits Scientific Ship.—The Postmaster-General, the Hon. J. B. Donald, paid a visit to the trawler Dana at Auckland, yesterday morning, where he met Porfessor J. Schmidt, leader of the Danish scientific expedition, and was introduced to the scientists who are accompanying the expedition. Opportunity was taken (states a Special Service message) of showing Mr. Donald the marine exhibits collected during the voyage and the modern apparatus of the vessel.

“Preniiuni Bonus” System.—The following resolution was carried unanimously at a mass meeting of employees held in the yard at Hillside railway workshops yesterday at the luncheon hour: “That this meeting protests against any form of premium bonus system being introduced in the railway workshops.”— Press Assn.

Fight with Bank Robbers. —A message from Seattle states that two robbers descended upon the First National Bank at Coquille. Oregon, and took possession of the bank as it opened business at 9 o’clock, but the cashier. Webb, saw them coming and. dashing into the vault, opened fire with a rifle in reply to the robbers’ fusilade. They snatched £4OOO and ran for a motor-car. but had not gone fifty yards before a bullet pierced a tire. In a running fight one robber was killed, the second captured, and the money recovered. —United Service.

Influenza in United States.— Complete reports from 42 States on file by the United States Public Health Service indicate that over 700,000 persons are afflicted with influenza, states an Australian Press Association message from Washington. Although the official reports accounted for only 141,000 new cases for the week ending December l.>. officials estimate that these are less than a fifth of the total number.

Ciiristmas Greetings.—We have to acknowledge and reciprocate the seasons greetings from the Minister of Railways anil the general manager and the executive officers of the Department, the Mayor and Councillors of the city of H ellington, the directors and management of the Union Steam Ship Co. of New Zealand, Ltd., the Colonial Motor Co., Ltd., the Anglo-Continental Produce Co., Ltd., the Public Trustee and staff, the V eL lington Branch N.Z. Institute of Marine and Power Engineers, Messrs. Wm. Dav<son and Sons, London, editor and staff “The Press,” Christchurch, the Mayor, councillors and office staff of the borough of New Brighton, officers of the General Post Office. Wellington, the Navy League, officers and staff Canadian National Steamships and Canadian National Railways for N.Z., stuff of “N.Z. Truth,” and Messrs. Frank Dyer, Consul for Greece, William Heughau, John Farrell, and P. Lawlor.