AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2486, 12 June 1915, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

NEWCASTLE GOAL TRADE. NOW SEVERELY AFFECTED. By Telenraph—Press Association—Copyright (Reo. June 11, 9 p.m.) Sydney, June 11. Tho evidence in the colliery mechanics' case before the Wages Board disclosed tho fact that the restrictions placed on the export of Newcastle coal was severely affecting tho trade. The home pits have beon closed, and tho Test are averaging a little more than half-time. Japan has secured the United. States Govornmont contract for the Philippine Islands and the Java railways contract, both previously held by . Nowcastle, whilo the Chilian railways aro now obtaining supplies from their own mines. Another ■ cause of the slackness is tho shortage of explosives. FINED FOR SELLING A DRUC. INACCURATELY DESCRIBED. (Reo. June 11, 10.60 p.m.) Sydney, June 11. Another firta pleailed guilty to & charge of selling a drn" not accurately described, namely, "Vitadatio," and was fined £10. The prosecutor on behalf of the Crown alleged that the bottle and, contents cost Is. The defendants purchased it fpr 4s. and sold it for ss. 6d. AUSTRALIAN HIGH COMMISSIONER. SIR GEORGE REID'S TERM. Melbourne, June 11. In the Federal House of Representatives, Mr. Mahon (Minister of External Affairs), in confirming the report that Sir George Reid's term of office as High Commissioner in London would not be extended, said that six years was long enough for any official to be absent from Australia. By that time he has lost, touoh with Australian feeling. CHINESE SMUGGLERS. SEARCHING FOR NEW ARRIVALS. Melbourne, June' 11. In connection with the alleged smuggling of Chinese into the Commonwealth, two officers have been dispatched to other States to search for new arrivals. Ten sto.vaways recently discovered on a vessel arriving at Brisbane from China will bo repatriated by the next vessel. It is stated that the smugglers charge the Chinese £1-10 pes man. ACQUITTED AND DISCHARGED. ON CHARGE OF STEALING MONET. ! Sydney, June 11. Milton Withers, charged with stealing moneys from the Tramway Department, was acquitted and discharged. He gave evidence that the keys of the strongroom were constantly changing hands, and that anyone in uniform could have got possession of them and taken impressions. [In April last, bags containing notes, gold, and silver, of the value of £550, were removed from tljo tramway depot strong-room in Sydney. Suspicion fell on Withers, who was a clerk in the Tramway Department, and he was arrested.] IMPROVEMENT IN WEATHER.. (Rec. June 11, 11.5 p.m.) Sydney, June 11. The rain end gale have cleared. GALLANT NEW ZEALANDERS GENERAL GODLEY'S TESTIMONY. ®y Teiozraiih.—i'rpss isßoclatlon.). ' Hokltlka, June 11. Recently the Westland County Couhp 1 cil sent an appreciative message through the Defence Office to General Godley, recognising the splendid work done by the' Australasians in the Dardanelles. The following reply has been received by Mr. Clifton, Cnairman of the Westland County Council:— "On behalf of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, and the Westlaud men in particular, I thank you for your kind cable. The gallantry of the Now Zealanders has been unsurpassed. "GODLEY. "Tenedos, June 8."