FIFTY YEARS AGO

Evening Star, Issue 23698, 4 October 1940, Page 2

FIFTY YEARS AGO

FROM ‘STAR' FILES Fire broke out at 2 o’clock in the morning in Gibbs, Shetland, and Co.’s warehouse in Sydney. * The building is situated in a dense block of premises bounded by Pitt, Castlereagh, King, and Hunter streets. The flames spread with alarming rapidity to other buildings. The loss is estimated at over a million pounds, and 500 persons were thrown out of employment. Ten firemen were injured by the falling walls. * * * * The Socialists in Germany have formulated a policy reviving the “ Gotha programme ” (exalting labour), approved at the Socialist Congress in 1875. At the Rockhampton regatta Kemp, Neilson, and Stanbury took part in the allcomers’ sculling race. In the last mile Stanbury, who bad been last throughout, made a tremendous spurt and was soon overhauling Neilson and was gradually creeping up on Kemp; but unfortunately be and Neilson fouled when passing the lightship, thus permitting Kemp to row in a wiilner by a length and a-half; Neilson a length away third. Time, X7min 15sec. * * * * There is still no change in the marine strike in Australia and New Zealand. <(■»■*« It is expected that the ceremony of proclaiming the New Constitution of Western Australia will take place on October 22. Invitations to bo present have been issued bo the Premiers of the other Australian colonics and to the mayors of various towns. The New Zealand Farmers’ Union has adopted the following platform The reduction and amendment of the Customs tariff so as to make it a tariff for revenue purposes only; intercolonial Freetrade as regards the natural products and the manufactures of the colonies; a reduction of the railway charges on wool, produce, live and dead slock; merchandise, and passengers, and the abolition of differential rates; the retention of the management and working of the railways by the State; federation with Australia, subject to the reservation of .absolute self-government in all internal affairs. •jfr * -Jr * At the annual meeting of the Carisbrook Cricket Club the following office-bearers were elected: —Presidents Messrs D. Stronach, A. Holmes, and J. Rattray; captain, C. W. Rattray; deputy-captain, A. G. Bell; bon. secretary, H. D. Stronach; hou. treasurer, A. Cargill; committee—A. B. Drabble, T. L. Austin, F. Harper. A. W. Morris, jun., A. Johnston, and G. L. Butlin. A sample of New Zealand butter sent to London has realised 112 s a cwt, and is pronounced by experts to be nearly as good as the best Danish butter.