AUSTRALIAN.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 January 1920, Page 4

AUSTRALIAN.

fAUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION] TRAWLING INDUSTRY. SYDNEY, This Day. The report of the Public Service Commissioner on the State trawling industry, shows that four years working resulted in a deficit of £37,432 sterling. He considers the industry is still in an experimental stage and recommends in order to make it payable, that it is necessary to raise tlie selling price of fish. He urges a revision of the policy in certain directions, including the appointment df a strong business administration and board of advice.

IN THE CLOUDS. 4 MELBOURNE, Jan. 24. Mr Snodgrass has conceived a plan for "relieving droughts and bush-fires Jjj means of a specially constructed aeroplane carrying a salt tank. The idea is to mount among the moisture laden nimbus clouds and spray fine salt, causing them to precipitate moisture, wherever wanted. For bushfires he. would replace salt by water to spray the flames. The idea is still to be test. ed.

A FAST SWIMMER. SYDNEY, Jan. 24. Beaurepaire in a private swim in the city baths covered 440 yards in 5.21 3-5 or 'two-fifths'better than the world s record, recently established by Norman Ross at Sydney. „

POTATOES AT £SO A TON. BRISBANE, Jan. 9. At the Roma-street produce markets, potatoes sold at the phenomenal prices of £2 10s per cwt. The outlook for the immediate future could not be worse and prices will probably be higher next week. The shipping hold-up has been responsible for the present scarcity.

STRIKE AT FIJI. SUVA, Jan. 24. Indians employed by the Suva Municipality and Public Works Department, the Vancouver-Fiji Sugar Coy., and many store and house servants have struck wprk for increased pay, owing to the high of living. Over fifteen hundred are “out.”. Indian agitators arc urging an extension of the strike. Employers are disinclined to grant an increase in pay, but they may grant food concessions. - ■

ENGINEERS’ STRIKE. MELBOURNE, Jan. 25. Mr Hughes again discussed the strike position with the representatives of the marine engineers. Possibly another ballot will be taken.