ITEMS IN BRIEF

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 96, 17 January 1929, Page 10

ITEMS IN BRIEF

FROM FAR AND Metric System in Turkey.—The London “Times” Constantinople correspondent reports that the Ministry of Finance has drafted a Bill for submission to the National Assembly providing for the introduction of the metric system iu Turkey in June. Novelist Found Dead.— An Australian Press Association-United Service message states that Austin James Small, the novelist, who wrote under the pen name of "Seamark,” was found dead in a London flat. His head was in a gas oven. He was formerly naval heavyweight boxing champion.

Timber Trade Dispute.—As a result of the timber trade dispute, the sawmills of Messrs. Cuming, Smith and Co., at Warburton, have closed down, states a Press Association message from Melbourne* About fifty men have been thrown out of employment.

Japanese Minister to Canada. —It is reliably stated in Tokio that Mr. Tokugawa, Consul-General for Australia and New Zealand at Sydney, will be nominated as Japanese Minister for Canada. —Aus. Press Assn.

Goods Train Delayed.—The engine and two trucks o£ a goods train proceeding to Lyttelton at 2.30 on Tuesday afternoon were derailed at the entrance to the tunnel, through some fault in the automatic derailing switch, which is supposed to operate only when a train is in the tunnel or the points at the station are closed. The engine and the two trucks were more or less damaged, but the driver and the fireman escaped injury.—Press Assn.

Marshal Foch’s Illness.— Marshal Foch has slightly improved, states an Australian Press Association message from Paris. It is revealed that he is also suffering from acute uraemia. He told the doctors: “I am badly hit this time, but I won’t let it get me for good.”

Cancer Research. — An Australian Press Association-United message states that the Council of the British Empire Cancer Campaign has invited the Queensland Cancer Trust to become a branch of the parent body. It has also resolved to offer two prizes of £5OO. each for the best original piece of investigatory work carried out in the Empire from 1931 to 1937.

Britain’s Unemployed.—A British official wireless message states that following a heavy increase of 249,500 in the unemployed in the last week of December, the return for the week ended January < showed a decrease of 68,530. The total was then 1,452,600. which was 220,531 more than a year before.

Jugo-Slax-ian Dictatorship.—lt is reported from Belgrade that the dictatorship is becoming more absolute, states an Australian Press Association - message. The whole of the electoral laws have nowbeen abolished. Two leading Zagreb newspapers have been three times confiscated for criticising the dictatorship, and they have ceased publication.

Queensland Floods Subsiding. The flooded Queensland rivers are now failin’ The Herbert River, which was four feet over the railway line at Ingham, is now level with.the bridge, which four trains succeeded in crossing, ine Burdekin River fell rapidly, and after the debris was cleared away from the bridge trains made the crossing. The -Lully River is now within its banks. Press Assn.

Painful Eye Injury.— An " n£ f r t u ° at ® and painful accident occurred at Scott s Gap on Monday, when Duncan la9Ph?r--son, manager of the Western District Sawmills, Ltd., was struck in the eye by a Piece of steel while, fitting a new pinion, which was being driven into place by a hammer (states an Invercargill Press Association message), ne is at present a patient of the Southland Hos* pital, where the steel was removed by means of an electro-magnet. The sight of the eye will probably be lost.

’ Ideal Harvest Weather.—Most of the uncomplimentary things said of late about the weather and its effect on the crops in Canterbury have to oe summarily withdrawn. Conditions up to the middle of last week with ram falling in most parts practically every day were certainly a sound excuse for pessimism, but the drying winds that set in on Thursday last and have continued off and on since have completely changed prospects. The outlook has been improved tremendously. The growth of fungus troubles has received a check, and, excent in isolated cases, should take little more than the average toll. Ideal harvest weather now prevails, and most of the lost time is being made up.—Special Service.

Gift to College Hostel. — Canon Wilford (Christchurch) received a cablegram from Professor Gabbatt IB land promising a donation of £ooo rewards the fund for enlarging . College House. The professors, gift is to. be made provided the remainder is raised by the end of March. Professor Gabbatt was for some time professor of mathematics at Canterbury College and during his stay in Christchurch he took a great interest in College House, the ladies residential establishment in connection with the college.—Special Service.