BRITISH AND FOREIGN

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXX, Issue 15124, 13 October 1909, Page 7

BRITISH AND FOREIGN

United Fret? Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. THE CZAR. LONDON, October 11. Router reports that the Czar will sUtrt for Italy on October 14. OLD AGE PENSIONS. The Local Government Board has disallowed 12 per coin of the old age pensions granted in County Mayo, and has announced its intention *o discontinue many pensions in other districts in Ireland. DEBT CONSOLIDATION. ■ Tho ' : Financial Times " declares that the passing of the Australian Debt Consolidation Bill will be a matter for congratulation all round, on grounds of patriotism and Imperial unity as well as for its sound financial principles. THE INDIA OFFICE. LONDON, October 12. Sir Richmond T. W. Ritchie, in charge of the Political and Secret Branch of the Correspondence Department of the India Office, hse been pointed Permanent Under-Secretary for India, vice Sir Arthur Godley, retired. Mr F. A. Hirtzel, private secretary to Lord Morloy, has been appointed to tho position vacated by Sir 11. Ritchie. CHARGES WITHDRAWN. The Treasury has withdrawn the manslaughter charge against the manager of Harrod's hair-dressing department and a female assistant, in connection with the death of Miss Dalrymple owing to a shampoo. During a long magisterial inquiry many oxports testified to the danger of tho process. Messrs Harrod promised not to use tetrachloride of carbon in future. THE BRITISH HARVEST. (Received October 13, 12.10 a.m.) The "Times" crop reports for October 1 show wheat 95.7, barley 93.25, oats 91, but owing to the deplorable harvest weather since mid-August much damage has been done to the considerable portion still ungathered, so tho figures must be reviewed conditionally. NEWFOUNDLAND FISHERIES. The United States and Great Britain have renewed the Newfoundland modus vivendi until The Hague arbitration terminates. A GERMAN DREADNOUGHT. (Received October 12, 11.50 p.m.) The German Dreadnought Westfalen has reached the North Sea, and undergone successful trials. She attained a speed of twenty ' knots with 24,000 horse-power, compared with nineteen knots and 24,000 horse-pofaer stipulated in the' contract.