ITEMS IN BRIEF

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 109, 1 February 1929, Page 12

ITEMS IN BRIEF

FROM FAR ANDjNEAR

Shipping Freights.—The increases in freight rates between the United Kingdom and Australia have beep, postponed, pending the visit of a shipping delegation to Australia.

Church Congress.—The Church Congress will meet in September in Toronto, at the invitation'of the Bishop of Toronto. This will be the first time that ' the congress has been held outside the -British Isles—British Official Wireless.

Death From Burns.—Cedric .Swallow, •aged twenty-three, who, trapped by. the flames when the Yarra Boat Club's shed was burned on Monday evening, died as the result of the severe burns received.— Press Assn.

lisiporial Seiegraphs Bill.-—An Australian Press Association-United Service message from London states that the House of Lords passed the third - reading of the Imperial Telegraphs Bill, providing for the merger of beam wireless' and cables. .'

Sordid Tragedy.—A lodging house in the slum portion of Wooloomoolob was the ■ scene of a sordid tragedy. 'Mary Roach, about 45, died after a drinking bout with John Dickson, 48; who was so unnerved by the suddenness of the woman’s death that he severed the arteries of both arms, and bled to death.— Press Assn; . '•

Segrave Sails for America.—A British official wireless message states that Major Segrave has sailed from Southampton for America, where he will make’attempts upon land and sea speed’records.

Britain and Jugo-Slavia.—Sir Austen Chamberlain stated in the House of Commons that no special instructions had been issued to the British representative in Belgrade' regarding relations with the new regime in Jugo-Slavia.—British official wireless. / ..

Warning to Wahabis.— The London “Daily Mail’s” Basra correspondent States that the Air Force carried out a demonstration over Wahibi tribesmen .concentrated sixty miles south-west of -liere, for the purpose of warning. It is believed that this will be sufficient to . deter a threatened attack. Service.

Fire in a Colliery.—A fierce fire is raging at' the Northumberland Colliery, Sassifern; states ' a Press Association message from Newcastle.' Damage estimated at £lO.OOO has been done already. The position is becoming more serious hourly. The ventilation' shaft and the fittings above ground have been destroyed, and over a hundred tons of coal is ablaze. It is feared that the blazing wood falling down the shafts will ignite the coal seams.

Children of Unemuloyed.—A Cessanock message declares that statements that the children of the unemployed were either starving or ill-nourished were made at. a public, meeting convened by the Mayor to discuss the .local distress. The meeting carried a resolution viewing with disgust the Government’s action in allowing children to starve.—Press Assn.

The. Waldorf Astoria.—According to reports received from New York'yesterday the 14-story Waldorf Astoria Hotel —one of the famous hotels of the world—is to be torn down to make way for a 50-story building.- This hotel iS'situated on Fifth'Avenue. ?

Boating Tragedy at Napier.—A' Napier Press Association telegram states that a verdict of accidental drowning -, was returned at the inquest on the two boys. Hugh Douglas and Gordon Macfarlane, who lost their lives in the Inner Harbour last Thursday. The Coroner said it was part of summer-time s . toll of young life. The evidence showed that a gale sprang up after a thunderstorm while the boys were sailing.

Death of Cyclist.—At au inquest on the body of Ross Ronald Brew.twho was killed on Monday night through ■ being knocked down by a car when cycling, the -Coroner ■ returned . a verdict that deceased was-accidentally killed ;by being knocked down by a car driven- by A. O. Old, states a Taumarunui Press Association telegram. : The Coroner a,dded the following rider: “That if possible something should be done to improve the visibility on the Taupo Road.” -•••»••

New Coat Mine Opening.— A new coal mine, which is to be opened shortly five miles from Ngaruawahia. will be known as the Wilton Mines. ,The coal-will be taken by aerial cable to. Ngaruawahia, where screens will be placed, -reports a Hamilton Press Association message.

National Union of Students.— With the idea of framing a constitution for a New Zealand branch of the National .Union of Students, representatives from the four universities met in Christchurch yesterday, states a Press Association telegram. The draft constitution will be-placed before the large gathering of students who will attend the university tournament at Christchurch at Easter, and a decision as to whether a branch will be formed, will then be made. *• .

...Injured Motor-cyclist’s Condition. —Information was received by telephone in Wellington last night that the condition of D. Managh,. who was. injured in an accident at the motor-cycle races at Marton on Wednesday, was satisfactory,, although the Result, of an X-ray . examination was being awaited. The pa.tierit had been admitted to a private hospital at Marton. H. Morgan, the Wairarapa rider who received concussion in a fall at the same time, has left" hospital’, with the intention of returning home.

Use of' Business Trade Names.—The council of the Wellington Chamber or Commerce, at its meeting this week, had before it an inquiry from the Association of Chambers of Commerce of South Africa, as to whether the practice of opposition firms adopting well-known names was common in New Zealand," and whether there was Dominion legislation compelling business firms to use their own names in trade. In South Africa, .all businesses are compelled to take o.ut-t-raders licenses, sometimes, at a very big fee, and no doubt, in South Africa there may be some intention to propose that restrictions operate regarding these .The secretary’s reply regarding the conditions applying in New Zealand was approved by the council. ;