ITEMS IN BRIEF

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 104, 27 January 1930, Page 12

ITEMS IN BRIEF

FROM FAR AND NEAR ' Child Killed by Motor. — Elizabeth Allan, aged z 3, was knocked down by a motor at Kaitangata on Wednesday night and died on Thursday, states a Press Association message from Dunedin. Embargo on Parrots.—ln an attempt to eliminate parrot fever among human beings President Hoover has declared an embargo against the importation of birds from foreign ports, states a Press Association message from Washington. Bubonic Plague in Japan.—A recurrence of the bubonic plague at Osaka is officially confirmed. The authorities are carrying out disinfection measures amongst shipping.—Press Assn. British Birthrate.— A Press Association message from London says the birthrate is now below the figure which statisticians estimate to be necessary to maintain the population at its present strength. It is probably the lowest in the world. Appeal Allowed.—The Privy Council has allowed the appeal ■ case of the Wanganui Timber Company against Maunder and another.—Press Assn. Joked at the Guillotine.j-’?Vith a joke on his lips, Joseph.Ughetto, aged 18, was gullotined at the Dignes for the brutal murder of five members of one family last September, states a Press Association message from Paris. His seventeen-year-old accomplice escaped the death sentence on account of his youth.

Razor-blades for War Office.—The annual War Office contract for safety razor blades for the first time has been given to a British firm, states a Press Association message from London. Previously the contract has gone to America.

Train Smashes Car.—A Press Association message from Perth states that a motor train struck a motor-car at Mount Gambier and smashed the car to a worthless heap of wreckage, but the five occupants were uninjured. The train was delayed for an hour till the line had been cleared.

Sinking of a Motor-Boat. — The owners of the Vancouver motor-boat Taiheiyo, sunk in collision with the United States Coastguard off Mexico, have protested to the Government that the vessel was deliberately rammed and the crew of six left to be rescued by a third vessel. — Press Assn.

Forged Bank Notes. —In reference to the forged hundred-dollar notes in circulation it is learned that the Deutschbank alone is in possession of counterfeits representing £4BOO, states a Press Association message from Berlin. The Communist Franz Fischer disappeared the day on which the bank learned that certain notes sent to America were forgeries.

Belated Discovery of Thumbprint.— The discovery of a thumbprint on a bloodstained piece of cardboard led to an event unprecedented in English criminal law. George Fraterson, sentenced to death last year for tho murder of a shopkeeper in Manchester, unsuccessfully appealed. Later he was reprieved by the Home Secretary. Now he has been allowed a second appeal in consequence of the claim that the thumbprint is not Fraterson's.—Press Assn.

The eighth annual meeting of the Scottish Women’s Hospitals Association of the Royal Free Hospital, of which the Duchess of York is president, was held in London recently. The movement became famous for the heroism and devotion of its members during the war, and in honour of the late Edith Palliser, one of the women who gave their lives, a bed was endowed in her name.

Many stories, some true, and some otherwise, are told of Aberdonians, but the following true story refers not to an Aberdonian, bnt a Napier resident (says the “Hawke’s Bay Herald”). He recently visited Auckland for the first time, and finding that a 1/6 all-day ticket is issued on the city trams, he determined to do some sight-seeing. He took lunch with him, bought a 1/6 ticket, got on the tram at 9.15 a.m., and left it at 8.15 p.m.. having been to every suburb, as well as over Auckland itself. He intends framing the ticket.

Chinaman Assaulted.— A. Press Association message from Christchurch states that a Chinese laundryman named Frank Yee Foo is in hospital suffering from severe cuts on the head and bruises. He alleges that, following an argument over a shirt, he was assaulted by two Europeans, who are said to have hit him with a large enamel saucepan at 9.15 on Friday night. A passing motorist saw Fee covered with blood standing at the doorway of his laundry. He conveyed him to the hospital.