News In Brief

Northern Advocate, 22 March 1944, Page 4

News In Brief

Wrecked.—The 2000-ton submarine rescue ship Macaw sank after striking a coral reef in ihe Pacific, according to a United States Navy announcement/ The vessel was commissioned in July, 1943 Allegation.—'The Canadian Minister for Defence (Mr. Ralston) told the House of Commons that an investigation had been started on reports that German war nrisoners had visited a saloon, taken girls for an automobile ride, and got drunk in an hotel with their guards. He added that the Canadian army corporal who allegedly accompanied the prisoners had been arrested. Tragedy.—Crossing a bridge over the Passaic River, New Jersey, a bus loaded with war-workers skidded in a snowstorm and somersaulted 25 feet into the river. It is believed that 29 lost their lives. Onlysix were rescued. Divers working in the icy water report that the submerged bus is full of bodies. Petoit.—Vichy radio has announced that the body of Dr Petoit is stated to have been found in the river Yonne, near Fontainbleau. Dr Petoit is alleged to have been involved in the killing of 29 women whose bodies were found in the basement of a Paris house. Dividend.—The National Mortgage Agency Company of New Zealand final ordinary dividend for the' half year ended September 30. is 2*2 per cent. Sunk.—A Navy communique states that the 1300-ton destroyer escort Leopold, manned by Coastguard officers and men was sunk as the result of an underwater explosion while on escort duty in the Atlantic. The Associated Press says this is the first reported loss of this type of vessel which was constructed specifically for anti-submarine work in the Atlantic and Mediterranean waters. The Leopold is the 145th U.S. navai vessel lost in the war. Savings.—National War Savings quotas were attained at: 197 places, including 10 of the 18 principal centres. I n 15 of the 13 postal districts the full district quota was obtained, says a Wellington message. Smuggling.—Eonson Products Ltd., cig arette lighter manufacturers, were fined £3OOO, and the managing director, Joseph Liddiatt, was fined £ISOO, for fraudulent: evasion of Customs duty on components for lighters. The prosecutor said that the company, through Liddiatt, deliberatelyembarked on a smuggling venture. Utilising the services of two members of the R.A.F., tie succeeded in smuggling into Britain 105.000 lighter parts. Navy.—Vice-Admiral A. F. E. Pailisor has been appointed Lord Commissioner of the Admiralty and Chief of Supplies and Transport. The following flag officers have been given shore appointments abroad: Rear-Admirals C. E. Morgan, J. W. A. Waller and H. J. Egerton. RearAdmiral R. R. McGregor lias been appointed to command a cruiser squadroft. Roosevelt.—President Roosevelt, suffering from a head cold, lias cancelled all appointments. Executed.—A sergeant-major of the French Army and three other men who were condemned to death last month on charges of torturing prisoners in Hedjerat prison camp, North Africa, were shot this morning, according to an Algiers message. China.—The British Council has appointed Professor P. IVT. Roxby, professor of geography at the University of Liverpool. and specialist in Far Eastern matters, to bo its principal representative in China. The council hopes fo expand the work in China in co-operation with Chinese authorities.