NEWS BY CABLE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3804, 8 February 1927, Page 49

NEWS BY CABLE.

A NEW SOUTH WALES DEFICIT. SYDNEY, February 2. . The State revenue returns for the first seven months of the financial year show a deficit of £1,572,000. < A PUMICE FIELD. SUVA, February 2. The Tofua, while en route from Auckland passed a pumice field about 100 miles south of Fiji. ~ ■ , A CONVERT TO ROME. LONDON, February 1. 'Hie Duke of Marlborough was received into the Roman Catholic Church at a special service at Westminster Cathedral. SYDNEY CORPORATION FINANCE. SYDNEY, February 3. The estimated deficit of the City Municipal Council for 1926 amounts to £lOO,OOO. GOVERNOR OF QUEENSLAND. “ LONDON, February 2. Sir Thomas Goodwin’s appointment as Governor of Queensland is officially announced. RAILWAY TRAGEDY. LONDON, January 31. The decapitated body of James Lansbury, a brother of Mr G. Lansbury (the Labour member of Parliament), was found on a railway at the East End. . « MID-AIR COLLISION. MALTA, February 2. A Fairey aeroplane collided with a Flycatcher. Both fell into the sea. The Flycatcher sank immediately, and Lieut. J. Y. Mills was drowned. A destroyer rescued the three occupants of the Fairey machine. , PATERSON CONTROL SCHEME. SYDNEY, February 2. The year's operation of the Paterson butter scheme resulted in a suroins of £420, which will be returned to the contributors.

RECOVERY OF RACECOURSE BETS. SYDNEY, February 1. The Government has decided to introduce a Bill making debts contracted on racecourses recoverable by law. THE AMERICAN NAVY. WASHINGTON, February 1. The Senate adopted the provision in the Naval Appropriation Bill, and voted 1,200,000 dollars for the construction of the three new cruisers in the face of President Coolidge’s expressed disapproval, the vote being 49 against 27. OBITUARY. LONDON, February 1. The death is announced of General Sir George" Higginson. LONDON, February 4. The death is announced of Mr Francis Grainger, otherwise known as Headon Hill, the novelist.

N.S. WALES LOAN. LONDON, February 6. • The Exchange Telegraph Agency’s Amsterdam correspondent says that the issue is announced of a million dollars 5 per cent gold bonds for New South Wales at 97J as part of a 25,000,000 dollars loan. WESTERN AUSTRALIAN ELECTIONS. PERTH, February 4. Cabinet fixed the date of the elections for March 26. MINISTER TO OTTAWA. WASHINGTON, February 3. Mr William Phillips, Ambassador to Belgium and an ex-Under-secretary of State, has been selected as the first United States Minister to Canada. EMPIRE STATUTES. LONDON, February 3 The Earl of Birkenhead has appointed a preliminary committee under the chairmanship of Lord Justice Atkin to consider the provision of facilities in London for a study of the laws of the Empire. ESSEX CRICKET GROUND. LONDON, January 31. The Essex County cricket ground has been preserved in perpetuity through an anonymous offer to purchase it by a leading Essex sportsman. Previous efforts to raise the £21,750 necessary to avoid resumption by the council failed. THE EX-CROWN PRINCE. . AMSTERDAM, February 1. Reports from Doorn state that the exCrown Prince has gone to the island of Wierengen for the reported purpose of accepting the sum of £lO,OOO offered by an American 'lire company if he would take the leading role in a picture entitled “The Prince of Wierengen.”

THE ITALIAN DICTATOR. PARIS, February 4. Persistent rumours are emanating from Italy of differences between Signor Mussolini and the King and Queen. It is stated that the King is being urged to abdicate. VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT PARTIES. MELBOURNE, February 4. The Nationalist and the Farmers’ Union Parties, at present comprising the composite Government, have decided to ap-

peal to the electors at the forthcoming State elections as separate entities. PRINCE CAROL. Following- cn the announcement by Cabinet that Prince Carol’s abdication is final and irrevocable, the newspaper Lupta says that the police and military are concentrating at Siebengurgen, where disorders are feared owing to the peasants and nationalists making demonstrations in THE FRANC. PARIS, February 4. M. Poincare. announced in the Chamber that he had no intention of declaring the legal stabilisation of the franc at present. POLAR EXPEDITION? NEW YORK, February 5. Captain Wilkins left Detroit to-day on his second attempt to explore the Arctic areas. »He expects to reach Fairbanks on February 22. He will have three aeroplanes, and will be prepared for an expedition ot a few weeks of flight or of two to three years afoot on the polar ice in the event of a mishap to the planes. SUCCESS IN LIFE. LONDON, January 31. After 50 years’ association with the firm which he founded, Sir Thomas Lipton has resigned /torn active control. Born in a slum tenement in Glasgow, he began work at the age of nine for half a crown a week. At the age of 17 he went to America. He returned two years later with .100. 'He then opened a provision shop, and by the age of 40 he was a millionaire.

JEWELLERY THEFTS. PARIS, February 2. As the sequel to a long series of mysterious robberies from the “luxury express” to the Riviera, the police have arrested a guard named Gobellot and his assistant, Moury. The latter had possession; of jewellery worth 500.000 francs. It is stated that the accused admit that they and an accomplice made about £lO,OOO from the thefts.

SUZANNE'S PROFITS. PARIS, February 2. “A nasty' shock awaits the temperamental Suzanne,” says a taxation officer, “as she comes under the law subjecting French citizens to income tax wherever their salary is earned. Her earnings in America, amounting to £20,000, will be taxed to the extent of £BlOO in France. She already paid taxes amounting to £2500 in America.

PACIFIC RELATIONS. HONOLULU, February 2. The Institute of Pacific Relations announces that Mr John D. Rockefeller, jun., has given 10,000dol for the expenses of the conference in July next. Professor J. B. Condliffe, of Christchurch (New Zealand) is arriving shortly to join the permanent staff of the institute.

AIRMAN’S FATAL CRASH. LONDON, February 4. Losing his bearings in a mist, Pilot Evans crashed on the downs near Brighton, ahd was killed instantly. The machine double-somersaulted over a bank, caught fire, and was destroyed. This is the ninth fatal flying accident this year. There were 83 fatal accidents last year. .

AMERICAN DIPLOMATS. WASHINGTON, February 4. The State Department formally announced to-day the appointment of Mr William Phillips as Minister to Canada, explaining his willingness to surrender his post as Ambassador to Belgium to go to Ottawa, because he realised the importance of the position and the great further service he could render the Government. Mr Frederick Sterling's appointment to Dublin is officially confirmed. CANADIAN TIMBER TRADE. OTTAWA,. February 4. A message from Winnipeg states that the increased tariffs proposed by Australia and New Zealand on logs are worrying Canadian lumbermen. The British Columbia lumbermen are enlisting the support of 1000 Western lumber retailers in a movement seeking Canadian preference over the United States in British countries.

QUEENSLAND COTTON CROP. SYDNEY, February 5. Arrangements hae been completed whereby the Australian cotton spinners will take over the whole of the Queensland cotton crop this season. This is the first time in the history of Australian farming that an entire crop has been bought by manufacturers direct from the growers. REVOLT IN.PORTUGAL. LISBON, February 4. A mild revolt of troops at Oporto was quelled without bloodshed. LONDON, February 6. The censorship on news from Lisbon has been lifted. It is disclosed that a new revolt has broken out. The rebels seized the Oporto Gbvernment buildings. Troops are at present bombarding the city? and' aeroplanes are co-operating. The situation elsewhere is reported to be in hand. . '

THE HELEN MOORE. MELBOURNE, February 5. The Helen Moore has been abandoned. The tug which went to her assistance found the vessel leaking badly. She returned with the Helen Moore’s crew. It has’not yet been decided whether or not any attempt shall be made to salvage the vessel. FISHING RIGHTS. ” _ OTTAWA, February 1. Japanese naturalised residents of British Columbia are planning a Supreme Court case to test the Canadian Government’s action in withholding fishery licenses from Japanese control. The plans of the British Columbia Government will eliminate the Japanese within a decade and replace them with whites.

TRANSPORT OF AIR FORCES. LONDON, February 1. An incident that marks the great advance made in the last 20 years is the departure of the aircraft carrier Argus for China loaded with aeroplanes and stores and carrying a full complement of Naval Air Force personnel. This will increase the strength of the aircraft in China to 80 with reserves.

(FLIGHT FROM PERTH TO SYDNEY.

SYDNEY, February 1. The airmen, Kingsford, Smith and Keith Anderson, with a mechanic and two passengers, arrived from Perth after an unsuccessful attempt to break the record for the journey. They covered the distance of 2200 miles in 30 flying hours. A BAN LIFTED. NEW YORK, February 2. A message from Topeka, Kansas, states that the anti-cigarette law, which has heretofore been rigorously enforced, will shortly be repealed. The Upper House voted for its repeal by 32 votes to 5. It has already passed the Lower House and now only awaits the Governor’s signature, which in this instance is a mere formality. SINGAPORE BASE.’ TOKIO, February 2. The Minister of the Navy, speaking before the Budget Committee, said that the Singapore Base was like a hot stove. It was being felt in all directions. Whether it wms an anti-Japanese project especially it was impossible to say, but the fact remained that the base constituted an overawing new centre. The world said that Japan was helpless and that Britain was within her rights.

COLONEL GARIBALDI. LONDON, February 4. Despite a report from America that he will be refused admission to Cuba because he is a deported person, Riceaotti Garibaldi sailed from Liverpool. He ridiculed the suggestion that he was a Fascist agent-provocateur. In view of the decision of the French Court he has surrendered all his French decorations. His brothers did likewise.

THE MTHERSON CASE. NEW YORK, February 3. Mrs Ormiston (the wife of the wireless operator at Mrs M’Pherson’s temple) has arrived in San Francisco from Australia, en route to Los Angeles, to sue her husband for divorce. She refused to tell interviewers whether she would charge her husband with desertion or name Mrs Aimee M'Pherson as the co-respondent until she had consulted her lawyer.

NEW TYPE OF TANKS. LONDON, February 3. “The Vickers Company is constructing 100 tanks of a new design for ' the Japanese Government and the Northern Army in China. It is expected that they will be completed in a few weeks,” says the Morning Post, which adds: “The Japanese Government has worked in close alliance during the last few years with Marshal Chang Tso Lin, the head of the Northern forces in China. The new tanks will even travel upside down, the crew being seated on swivel seats, so that they would not be affected should the tanks overturn.”

PRESS CABLE RATES.

LONDON, January 31. Cabled reports from Australia advocate a reduction in the press cable rates. The authorities of the Pacific Cable Board say that this is impossible while the Atlantic rates are maintained. The Pacific service already carries press messages 10,000 miles for 2zd compared with 3000 miles across the Atlantic for 3d. MELBOURNE, February 1. The Postal Department announced that the new reduced cable rates between Australia and the United Kingdom would operate from to-day. CHARGE AGAINST INDUSTRIAL SYSTEM. LONDON, February 4. Captain Wedgwood Benn, M.P., in a letter to the Liberal Association, proclaims himself a socialist, and argues that the present industrial system has failed to provide that goodwill which is the mainspring of production. He declares that even the Conservatives are compelled by the facts to declare for national ownerships, and adds that he intends to resign his seat. FLYING FOXES. BRISBANE, February 1. The district is suffering from a plague of flying foxes, millions of which are destroying the orchards in the district. A drive was organised, and 140 people with guns, who fired 12,000 rounds of ammuni-

tion, destroyed many thousands of the pests, but without making an appreciable difference in the menace to the orchard industry. It is considered that a national effort should be made to exterminate flying foxes. DRUNKENNESS TESTS. LONDON, February 1. The Evening News says that if the British Medical Committee’s ruling is accepted the customary police tests for drunkenness. Including tongue twisters such as “British constitution,” “fish sauce shop,” and walking a straight line will be abolished. The copimittee points out that if the smell of alcohol is not noticeable half an hour after arrest drunkenness is unlikely. The police should note whether a prisoner’s eyes are bloodshot and whether he is talkative, sulkv, or abusive. The committee approves of the police test of picking up a < oin out of a dozen on the floor. CANNIBALISM. SYDNEY, February 3. A wireless message from Buldlo states that the expedition which investigated the • murders of the native carriers by Kanakas on the Bulolo River, found evidences of cannibalism on a large scale in the native villages. Apparently the native carriers, who were reported as deserters during the last 12 months, were murdered and eaten. The expedition encountered severe opposition, and was several times ambushed, and compelled to fire in self-defence, wounding a number of Kanakas. DIPLOMATIC ENVOYS. WASHINGTON, February 2. Plans to send regular United States diplomatic representatives to the Irish Free State and Canada have progressed to the extent that the State Department’s request for appropriations for the purpose is now before the Budget Bureau. The department did not deny the London reports that it had asked the Dublin Government whether Mr Frederick Sterling, counsellor of the American Embassy In London, would be acceptable as United States Minister. It is understood that a similar proposal was made to Ottawa in regard to a representative in Canada.

A FIFTH GOSPEL. LONDON, January 31. The Milan correspondent of The Times states that the alleged fifth Gospel was opened before a tribunal at Lucera. Thirty-one manuscripts ostensibly written by Joseph of Jerusalem conclude with an account of the Emperor Titus sacking Jerusalem. It reads: “Soldiers are spreading death and ruin everywhere. Citizens were killed and made prisoners, women violated, and children maltreated.’’ Experts will examine the documents and report regarding their validity. THE PRICKLY PEAR. NEW YORK, February 1. An important development in the study of the eradication of the prickly pear has. occurred with the discovery of a bacteria] disease by Mr Lewcock, mycologist to the Commonwealth Prickly Pear Board, which appears to have been recently introduced to Bermuda, possibly from infected Indian fig fields in Southern Europe, and has cleared areas in the Bermuda Islands that were formerly thickly covered by the cactus pest. Mr Lewcock, following preliminary investigatory work in Bermuda, conducted interesting experiments with this bacteria in the Cornell University hot-houses, and then revisited Bermuda whence he has just returned. He expects again to visit Bermuda during summer in the Northern Hemisphere to continue his studies. MR HENRY FORD. WASHINGTON, February 2. Mr Henry Hornblower, a member of the House of Representatives and a partner in Messrs Hornblowcr and Weeks, bankers, giving evidence in a' tax case involving the Ford Motor Company, revealed that his concern had offered Mr Ford 1,000,000,000 dollars for the latter s motor works, but the offer was refused. Mr Ford was offered 500,000,000 dollars in 1916, but this was increased eight years later. The witness said: “Mr Ford laughed at me. He is the marvel of the age. If

the public were permitted to buy the company’s stock it would be taken like wildfire.” He estimated that Mr Ford’s present earnings were 100,000,000 dollars per annum, and added that 15 years • the 100-dollar par value of a share in the company was worth 12,500 dollars.

AMERICAN POLICE. LONDON, January 31. “Their ways are not ours,” sums up the conclusions of Detective Piggot, of Melbourne, on American police methods. Detective Piggot, who, on behalf of the Victorian Government, is studying police administration, arrived in London on Saturday. He had a startling introduction to Chicago, where there were 10 murders during his 10 days’ stay there. He witnessed two shootings, one being under his hotel window. He found the laws and police powers, practices, and status very different from those of Australia. He speaks in glowing terms of Scotland Yard. He will spend several months in England. His particular study will be the fingerprint system.

PRAYER BOOK REVISION. LONDON, January 31. 4 The Daily News says regarding the revised Prayer Book which is to be published on February 7 that demands for copies are coming in from all over the. country. It will be found that the bishops have aimed at greater elasticity in a spirit of

compromise. The most controversial question —the reservation of the Sacrament—has been compromised, many of the bishops who opposed an alteration consenting to reservation for the sick for the sake of peace. Nevertheless, the changes do not imply a tendency toward the practices of the, Church of Rome. The marriage ceremony deletes the word "obey” and says, “Love, cherish, and. serve.” The references to the carnal lusts and appetites are deleted and there is similar toning down of the langauge in the churching of mothers. . PROCESSES OF LIFE. * * NEW YORK, January 3? News from Berkeley (California) stare# that Dr Guy Clark and Mr Paul Sharp, of the Department of Biochemistry of the' University of California, have announced! the result of experiments with oocytin, which were commenced by Dr T. B. Robertson, formerly head of the department and now of the University of Adelaide. Oocytin is the substance with which it is possible to start the vital processes in the eggs of sea urchins. The announcement says that the substance is found in the blood of all animals, but the highest percentage is in fowls. It is a greyish-white powder when reduced to a relatively pure state. The eggs to be fertilised are removed from the animals and placed in a bowl, with a small amount of oocytin dissolved in sea water added. The formation of the membrane takes place in from 20 minutes to several hours. Scientists are still unable to analyse the substance.

ALIENS IN BRITAIN. LONDON. February 4. Sir William .Toynson-Hicks, Home Secretary, addressing his constituents at Twickenham, said the Government entirely sympathised with his view that facilities must not be given to aliens to enter Britain and indulge in illegal and unconstitutional movements. Two persons connected with the Amsterdam International had tried to enter in June, 1926, but the Home Office learned that they had tried to hold up British shipping during the strike, and therefore they' were not allowed to enter. Other applications to enter came from people trying to divert legitimate trade union movement to illegitimate channels. “I often wonder if Russia’s object in keeping its trade delegation in Britain is a camouflage for hostile aims,” he said.

MARAUBA SPEEDWAY.

SYDNEY, February 6. Another sensational smash occurred at the Maraubra speedway yesterday, when a car driven by Fred Barlow, travelling at 85 miles an hour, went over a bank and crashed through an electric light pole. Barlow received a fractured spine and fractured thigh. His condition is critical. j j Barlow succumbed to his injuries. The week-end accidents again exacted a heavy toll on life, six being killed and seven seriously injured. Five deatha were due to motors, and the other to level t crossing accident.

MAJOR GOODSELL. NEW YORK, February 5. f A Los Angeles message states E. C. ' Uhr, associate of Major Go-dsell, has • received an unsigned letter from Varquis, ■ Mexico, alleging that Major Goodsei has been kidnapped, and asking for 6000 dollars to procure his release. It is believed that Major Goodsell crossed the Mexican frontier in an effort to gain a permanent residence in the United States, his six months’ visi tperiod having expired. Major Goodsell is an Australian, and holds the title of champion sculler of the world. MOTOR SPEEDING. \ LONDON, February 5. Captain Malcolm Campbell, in his racer Bluebird, smashed the world's speed record at Pendine Sands, attaining . a mean average speed in excess of 174 miles an hour. The times were :—Kilometre, 12.7915ec, or 174.843 miles an hour: mile, 20.6635ec, or 174.224 miles an hour. Captain Campbell’s achievement was a’ magnificent triumph for British motoring. The Bluebird is British entirely, whereas Mr Parry Thomas’s car, in which tho previous record was established, has an American engine. When he finished Captain Campbell had almost to be lifted from the car. The terrific wind pressure blew off his goggles. He said that as the flag postsflashed by they were just a blur. t

MR BRUCE RETURNS HOME. ] SYDNEY, February 4. Mr Bruce had an enthusiastic reception on his return from the Imperial Conference. A number of prominent citizens, including most of his colleagues in the Federal Cabinet, met the Niagara down the harbour and boarded the liner to welcome him. He was also tendered a civic welcome when the ship berthed, and later a luncheon given by the citizens of Sydney. At the luncheon Mr Bruce announced, that a delegation comprising three or four of the best financial and business brains in Britain would come to Australia to see whether some scheme could not be evolved under which Australia would be able to absorb more migrants.

THE TABLEY ESTATES. - , MELBOURNE, February 3. The claim of the Christchurch family of Tabley to estates valued at £20,000,000 in Lancashire has found a rival claimant in the person of Mrs Collins, of Balac’ava, who states that she, with eight others ci

the Tabley family, ate great-grand •hitd’ eri •f'.Johh Tabley, the original owner of the estates. CHRISTCHURCH, February 4. A member of the Tabley family, in Christchurch, which lays claim to* the Tabley millions, stated to-day that of the nine Melbourne claimants four are really the' Christchurch Tableys. Two of them are sisters of the New Zealand family, and three are cousins. The cousins are the children of a younger brother of the late William Tabley, and it is anticipated that their claim will be ousted by that of the Christchurch family-. The sisters did not participate under the will of their mother, who. survived. and was the sole beneficiary under the will of her husband. It is believed that two of the Christchurch family will leave for England next month.

BUSH FIRES. MELBOURNE. February 4. Bush fires are again raging near Melbourne, and are Being swept along by a furipus wind. A fire near Heidelburg destroyed much Valuable grass land. Fire-fighters were unable to halt the dames, and could only direct them on to valueless land, where they eventually spent themselves. In Upper Maffra the fires are blazing fiercely, but hundreds of fire-fighters have the position well in hand. MELBOURNE, February 5. Change of wind fanned the bush fires near Beechworth into fresh activity. The hills presented an awe-inspiring spectacle. From all points of the compass dense black smoke was blown over the town. The position was slightly relieved by the outbreak at the township being controlled, as from this directma greatest danger was feared. SYDNEY, February 5. A bush fire swept the Upper Murray, twenty-five miles from Corryong, ana, fanned by a hot wind, ravaged miles of country, causing enormous damage.

JUSTICE DEFEATED. BRISBANE, February 4. _ lhe Government has decided that Innisfail, in North Queensland, shall be deprived of its circuit court sitting. . The Attorney-General (Mr J.' Mullan), m a statement, said that it had been represented to him on several occasions that .a section of the jurors at Innisfail had proved averse to bringing in' verdicts of guilty, and that intimidation had been resorted to in' some cases. A Supreme Court judge had investigated the position, and reported that he regarded the allegations as true, and recommended that the circuit; court at 1/ aisfail be abolished. The Government had therefore decided that it had no option but to deprive Innisfail of the court. This is the second time in the history .. Q ueen3 l an d that such action has been the Government over 50 years ago . having deprived- Roma of the privilege in . .aoimecthni. with an alleged cattle-stealing wiSe. iu which the jury failed t 0 convict, ,v*idence which the Crown held . Reputable. .u.Tha Roma case was inspired by the pfci- in 'Rolfe. Boldrewood's book “Robbery Under Arms.” , ■ -

< GIANTS AND PIGMIES. . _ . LONDON, February 1. The Cairo correspondent of The Times Mays that the discovery of an extraordinary primitive race of pigmies in the middle of the mountain country of New Guinea which had not previously been penetrated by Europeaps and encounters with a giant race of Papuans averaging over 6ft whose expression is made more ferocious by cross skewers of wood through the nostrils were described by Professor Stirling on his arrival at Port Said. Professor Stirling says that the pigmies are a primitive people without a king or _ >ny kind of organised government. Each village is under a head man and elders. Their average height is 4ft. They have wholly black skins and sturdy well-knit bodies and are pf a friendly and cheerful disposition. Their clothing is only a Small'loin cloth. They wear charms round th6ir necks and occasionally a thick netting over their heads. Professor Stir ling found no traces of organised religion, neither temples, totems, nor any Nace of Worship or any priests. They are still in the Stone Age regarding implements, using stone axes, hammers, and weapons.

RACE OF SUPERMEN. ( LONDON, January 31. "Half a century hence we should be able to double the normal span of life. I look into the future and see clearly tho possibility of a race of supermen, rich in thought, strength, and intelligence.” said Dr Voronoff. the monkey gland specialist. Vho is carrying out research work for the French Government in an old castle near Monte Carlo, in an interview with the Daily Express. Dr Voronoff expressed the opinion that If eVer a cancer cure were found it would Jesuit from experiments with monkeys, ,knd not rats. , The British exneriments with the latter were wasted. The doctor kdded : In . England a man may give a . part of his body and blood to research .workers, but an animal must not.’ France hllows exneriments with animals, not. . human beings ” He announced that he had succeeded in grafting a monkey’s pantreas glands into two Italians, which. Meant that diabetes could be cured by fneans of an . operation, instead of by lhe continuous use of insulin. Monkeys Furnished glands affecting v the human ieari and brain, others giving intelligence there none existed, and others control- • jng our growth Grafting monkey glands n aged people only set the clock back, f grafted |n suitable boys at the age pf fight or 10 a race of supermen v ould be tajoduced. Tn . order to '’°ln the human wee there ! must be an a?’ 'juate supply of

monkeys, which must become domesticated like cats-and dogs. ; ’ A ROMANTIC MARRIAGE. Q . . LONDON, February 3. tr.lvia Hawkes, a pretty ex-mannequin and a musical comedy actress, 22 years of age, was married to Lord Ashley (heir to the Earl of Shaftesburv) in romantic circumstances. The likelihood of marriage was rumoured for the past week, but the Earl and Countess persistently denied its possibility while the bride’s friends were equally place tllat the marriage would tak ® Events proved the actress to be right lhey were duly married at St. Paul’s’ Knightsbridge, the bride wearing a wedding dress which had been hastily prepared at 24 hours’ notice. A crowded congregation, attracted bv the newspaper publicity, included a number of stage stars and mannequin friends of the bride. The honeymoon is being spent at Biarritz. rr. r , , February 4. lhe Countess of Shaftesbury in a desperate last-hour effort to stop the marr>age of her son to Miss Hawkes, left the family seat in Dorset at davbreak by motor for London, where she arrived just in time to see Miss Hawkes leaving for the church. The countess did not attend the wedding. POPULATING AUSTRALIA. ’ LONDON, February 5. General speculation is indulged'in as to who the "Four best financial business brains” may be that will be selected according to Mr Bruce's speech, cabled from Sydney, to go to Australia to study and confer on the problems of increasing the power to absorb immigration. In this connection the names of Lords Weir and Lavat and Mr Hilton Young, M.P. are mentioned."

The Morning Post says: “Four men must be found who arc accustomed to spending millions and able to visualise vast industries in the wilderness, and who are also familiar with the economies of railroad building. When selected they will go to Australia to act as an advisory not executive, body. Their work will be to make Australia receive and absorb a gigantic population. They will collaborate with the existing “big four” in Australia—namely the Migration Commission—Messrs Gepp, Naylor, ■ Fleming, and Gunn. Together these bodies will form Australia’s “Great Eight.” Their deliberations will mark a new era. it will be the task of the “Great Eight” to take Australia in .hand and lay it out to the best advantage. It is town-planning on a vast scale. - Nothing like it has ever been attempted before. Obviously P 1 ® 1 ’ this calibre cannot be found .in Whitehall. They must be drawn from the leaders of industry. , . . The Morning Post says editorially that if, as proposed, 450,000 British men and women are to be assisted to settle in Australia during the *next. ten years some clear plan will be essential. . _ . LONDON, February 6, Official • quarters have no knowledge of tne details of Mr Bruce’s migration delegation, which they say he merely mentioned here an idea with the intention of working out the details later.