MISCELLANEOUS.

Colonist, Volume XLVIII, Issue 11554, 15 February 1906, Page 3

MISCELLANEOUS.

London, February 13. The first instalment of Baron Rothschild's scheme to provide work for the unemployed has been started I at New Brunswick. The avalanche of rocks and earth, news of which has previously been cabled, destroyed the village of Grugnay, and the reisdents narrowly escaped. "Financial circles consider tho New South Wale^ loan a success, especially as the Moroccan deadlock has rendered the Exchange nervous. A second death has occurred in London in three weeks from acute 1 leprosy. Berlin, February 13. Tho Chinese Minister at Berlin, when interviewed, said the National Party claimed for the Chinese Government first aim a reform of the . army and navy, and then tho nation j would be able to repel the unsolicited advice of the world. When equipped with modren weapons it would be impossible to conquer Chinese soldiers. Now York, February 13. A sensation has been created in ! New York, Mr John D. Eockfellor having disappeared. It is supposed that he is. trying to evade a subpoona ~ to testify ih anti-trust cases, and regarding the Oil Trust methods. Mr Perkins, a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee to tho House of TRepiesentatives, declares that Congress, while modifying laws - relating to Chinese, does not intend __ to admit coolies. Pekin, February 13, j The Viceroy of Fcochow has ; ordered the execution of the rln^- \ leader of the mob that sacked theLEnglish Mission at Changpu, and ho ! 1 will punish the others. Tho Viceroy jfi reports that the outbreak was due to j S the Roman Catholic Mission detain- j ,i ing a Chinaman. The Catholic! Mission was first destroyed, and then the Engilsh. Meanwhile. the troops, Ci on arriving, killed twelve rioters. s< Sydney, February 14. 1 The wool season has been a very n successful one, showing an increase <. of 150,000 bales. The quantity sold r at Sydney realised £8,290,000, while *£ the grand total for the clip is esti- " mated to top £11,000,000. si The Commonwealth Naval Di- q( rector's report is anything but ' optimistic on our naval preparedness. " The Director declares for an Austra- v lian Navy, and repeats the recommendations made in December last, that the Commonwealth should be provided with three cruiserdestroyers, sixteen torpedo boat, destroyers, and fifteen first and second class torpedo boats^ to be 5 provided over a period of seven years. The annual cost will be £330,000. T This the Director considers would provide for defence. The scheme is not designed as a force for action against hostile fleets, which is the province l of the Imperial fleet, but as a line of defence necessary to secure a naval basis for populous centres and the principal ports of commerce.