NEWS IN BRIEF.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 15 December 1924, Page 10

NEWS IN BRIEF.

HONOUR FOR NEW ZEALANDERS. BY CABLE—PBESS ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHT. Received Dec. 15, 10.45 a.m. LONDON, Dec. 14. The Royal College of Surgeons lias conferred fellowships on two New Zealanders, Dreadon and Greenslade. FORTUNE FOR A PICTURE. LONDON, Dec. 13. A portrait by Rembrandt’s pupil Carel Fabritius. was auctioned at Christie’s and was acquired for the National Gallery for 6200 guineas. While the world has been scoured for Fabritius’ portraits this one was inserted by a modest family living at Swinton, who sent.it to Christie’s with a request to put it up to auction if it was worth anything. Mrs. Bvewerton, wife of the fortunate owner, did not conceal her elation as the bidding mounted up. ■

LIFE OF KING EDWARD

LONDON, Dec. 14. Sir Sidney Lee, discussing in the Observer liis forthcoming “Life of King Edward, ’ ’ on which he lias been engaged for four years, says lie trusts the widespread notion that King Edward, before he came to the throne, was predominantly a man of pleasure and deficient in serious interests, will be dissipated as soon as his book appears. Sir Sidney Lee says King Edward’s dislike of Prussianism manifested itself almost as early as his liking for France, and lie regarded the accession of Wilhelm as a calamity. NEW ZEALANDER’S DEATH. LONDON, Dec. 13. Mr Thomas MeCleland, a retired New Zealand farmer, ivho recently arrived to spend his last days in Britain, dropped dead at Belfast.' The. police searched his lodgings and found large sums in cash, cheques and share certificates. They are endeavouring to trace relatives. VESSEL IN DISTRESS. LONDON, Dec. 13. A message from Port Sudan states thjft the Australian motor vessel Mossa, bound from Rotterdam for Sydney, was disabled 170 miles south-east of Port Sudan. The vessel was picked up -by the British steamer Alnmoor, which is towing her to Port Sudan, where- she expects to arrive to-morrow. POLAND’S WAR DEBTS.

LONDON, Dee. 13. It is learned from authoritative Polish sources that the Anglo-Polish agreement for the repayment of Poland’s debt to Britain provides for a reduction in interest from 6 to .'3 per cent., with the repayment of the whole- debt within fifteen years. IRELAND'S HOTELS. LONDON. Dec. 13. The Irish .Senate rejected the Dail l-.ireann’s Liquor Bill amendment. I his ho Ido np the Bill for nine months, retaining the present closing: hour (9.30 p.m.) and forbidding;' sales on St. Patrick’s Day. WEMBLEY EXHIBITION. Received Dec. 14 5.5 p.m. LONDON, Dec. 13. Sir James Allen (High Commissioner for New Zealand) is temporarily continuing to act as the representative of the High Commissioners on the board of management of the Wembley Exhibition during 1925. GERMANY’S FINANCE. Received Dec. 13, 5.5 p.m. LONDON, Dec. 12. The Berlin correspondent of Reuter says the Federal Council lias approved the Federal Budget for 1925. The «■- traordinary expenditure is 433,000,000 marks and the revenue 155,000,000 marks. The deficit of 277,000.000 marks will be covered by a loan, whi’e ? further el-edit of 1,500.000.000 ’mar'-c is required to strengthen the country’s finances. The ordinary “war burden” Budget involves an "expenditure of 1.230,000,000 marks, of which 1.095,000. 000 marks are for reparations purposes.