Untitled

Dunstan Times, Issue 3136, 25 September 1922, Page 2

Says ;i recent message from .Milan :- Fmvr cheques, each worth £20,000, were in a woman's purse whicH was round on the railway near Genoa. 11 is not known whether the purse had he-en stolen or accidentally dropped from the train. Despite the huge sunn Involved, no loss or theft has been reported 1 during the four days elapsing ■since the discovery of the purse. A claim lias been entered by tire lucky finders of the cheques, all railway officials, for the statutory 5 per cent, of the value of the articles found. Pour thousand pounds would, therefore, be divided among four employees. The cheques bad been issued by the American Express Company, and at present they are in the custody of the r.tilway authorities at Genoa. Serious trouble has arisen in the Italian Chamber of Deputies through the discovery that a number of members were elected before reaching the prescribed, age sures have bad to be taken to deal with the question. In the British Parliament the ago limit is, of course, niucb. lower. In the Pensioner Parliament of Charles 11., one member was returned at the age of 15; Lord Torringtou is reported to' have taken part in debate at the age of 14. In 1695 a statute was passed fixing the limit 'at 21, but the famous Lord Chesterheld was elected under age, and spoke, but abstained from voting when warned that, if he voted, the penalty of £SOO would be. enforced. Charles Fox was a member at 19. The Prince of Wales lias joined tho select company of Knights of the .Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle. It is an ancient order, which was revived by King dames 11., in i'JB7, and re-established by Queen Anne in 17!),'5. The order consists of the sovereign and 10 knights. Amongst tho knights are many distinguished Scotsmen, including the Earl of Roseberry, Duke, of Montrose, Marquess of Aberdeen and Temair, Earl of Mar and Kellie. the most recent appointments lo the order being that of the Duke of Atboll. who received the honor in dune. 1918, and the Earl of Crawford and Balearic's. Viscount Haldane became a knight in May, 1913, and since tbc war the dignity has been conferred upon Lord Lovat, the Duke of Buccleuch, and Earl Haig.