London, Feb. 12.
The by-election in Central Southwark, following the death of the Labour member, Mr. Harry Day, resulted in an easy victory for the Labour didate, Mr. J. H. Martin, in a three-cornered fight. He polled 5,285 votes, while his nearest rivaly Mr. C, W. Pearson, the "stop the war advocate," received only 1,580 votes, In last place was Mrs, Vanderelst, Nationalist Independent candidate, who obtained 1,3 votes.
In the General Election, the figures were Mr. Harry Day (Lab.) 11,098 and Mr. E, Stan~ ford (N, Lab,) 9,375.—Reuter.
Mines have also come in for a great deal of experimentation. Britain is believed to have developed a mine Which does not need contact to be exploded, but which will explode whenever a vessel comes, within a certain distance of st. This type of mine, it fs believed, was designed for the purpose of ridding coastal waters of enemy submarines. For the dan-serous task of clearing the seas of enemy mines a fleet of small vessels have been equipped with minesweeping equipment. which consists of paravanes suspended from davits over each counter. Shortly before the war broke out last year the Admiralty decided to add 190 additional small vessels to the anti-submarine and fanti-mine class and no doubt this Agure has been expanded: since the outbreak of the war. Some destroyers of the British Navy have also been equipped with mine-sweeping devices.
Probably the most efficient type of mincewceper is the 1935 Halcyon class, an improvement on the farmer sloop for escort vessel. A feature of this type-of vessel is its ability to withstand mine explosions due to the fact that its seams are welded instead of rivetted. The worth of welded seams was proven when the destroyer Hunter struck a submerged mine while on patrol in Spanish waters on May 13, 1597, and survived the shock. The explosion of the mine lifted th forward part of the vessel completely out of the water yet the damage was such that she was able to be towed to Gibraltar for temporary repairs, the Tepairs being completed at Malta a year later.
Another type of vessel which was in the experimental stage before the Present war broke out is the motor minesweepers. "Bult by Thornycroft, these vessels were primarily designed King Congratulates New Zealand on Centenary Wellington, Feb. 8
'The King yesterday' rent a message. coogratiating New Zealand he, occasion of her centenary eelebratlons, Afler neterring "to "Tis Majesty's deep" satisfaction tu. Now Zealand'e cammed progress, the message said:
"he generous and valuable. ¢ontribution the Dominion 1s making the war effort of the. Empire. wil mark a glorious page in her history, fana the spirit of my peoples In. New Zeeland "and "elsewhere is sre 10 fEuarantee that he dlMultie which unquestionably lie before us: will be sccesstully overcome.
The Governor-General, Viscount JGatWway, "tu a: message of thanks 10 His hiajesty, said. the message woe read" to large crowds assembled at Wallang# to celebrate. the centenary and was received with the deepest appreciation and pleasure, He added: "Coming at a time when the security of the. Commonwealth Direatened by augresson, the een ten ary. celebrations have served frengthen the people of New Zea fend in the "resolve. to uplickd and defend to the utmost the" preelowt {deals of freedom and entice, which throughout the centuried, have guided land. inspired ure British peoples" Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.