conspiracies are generally betrayed.
Every thing apparently proceeded in its ordinary course: the conversation flowed rapidly along from the subjects afforded at the moment, without any of the constraint which marks a party intent upon some secret and more interesting argument, and endeavouring to afford an opportunity for its introduction.
At last the hero of the tale found himself compelled to mention the occurrence of the night.
It was most extraordinary -- he feared that he should not be credited -- and then, after all due preparation, the story was related.
Those among his auditors who, like himself, were strangers and visitors in the house, certain that some delusion must have been practised: the family alone seemed perfectly composed and calm.
At last, the gentleman whom Lord Londonderry was visiting interrupted their various surmises on the subject, by saying, "The circumstance which you have just recounted must naturally appear very extraordinary to those who have not long been inmates of my dwelling, and not conversant with the legends of my family; and to those who are, the event which has happened will only serve as the corroboration of an old tradition that has long been related of the apartment in which you slept. You have seen the Radiant Boy -- be content -- it is an omen of prosperous fortunes. I would rather that this subject should no more be mentioned'.
And here the affair ended.
ON THE INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC FRONT
Austria
* Austria and China signed a Memorandum of Under- standing recently providing for a programme of research for the next few years that could also prove important for future industrial cooperation.
*
Austria is the first country with which Beijing has con- cluded such a deal, though similar negotiations are underway between China and other European countries. The first joint projects to be tackled are in materials science (new materials) and in hydromechanics and geology (dam construction).
The Sch20.6 billion ($HK12.91 billion) to be spent in Austria this year on research and development will be invested to an equal extent by the government and by industry. The amount, 5.7 percent higher than last year, equals 1.3 percent of the GNP. At a growth rate of 6 percent investments by Austrian industry displays a somewhat higher increase than public spending (+ 5.4 percent).
Total R and D expenditure will be 67.4 percent up on the 1981 figure. Over the same period in 1981 the GNP has risen by a nominal 45.9 percent.
China
The Chai Tai Group of Thailand recently signed 3 letters of intent with Hainan provincial authorities for investing $US2.54 billion ($HK19.8a billion) in the development of prawn breeding, pig raising and petrochemical indus- tries.
This investment is the largest funding from overseas offered since Hainan Island opened to the outside world. One of the largest projects to be undertaken with the investment involves petrochemicals.
Of the total $US2.4 billion ($HK18.72) to be invested in petrochemicals, the first installment of $US800 million will be used to establish a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plant with an annual capacity of 200,000 tons.
At present, the group is pooling funds and inviting tech- nicians and scientists from the United States, Japan, Hongkong and Taiwan for the project.
Another $US100 million ($HK780 million) will be used to develop 16,600 hectares of beach land, and import Thai technology for the establishment of a prawn farm.
A further $US40 million ($HK31.2 million) will go to- wards a pig-raising project. Use will be made of the
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