AUSTRALIAN.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 February 1920, Page 1

AUSTRALIAN.

fACSTIIALTAN it N.Z. CAJOLE ASSOCIATION] TOTAL AVRECK. SYDNEY, Feb. 21. The collier Lubra struck a submerged rock in Cathorin Hill Bay. She is a total loss. Tho crew were saved.

FURTHER CONSIDERATION SYDNEY, Feb. 21. The marine engineers met to-day to decide whether they would take a fur ther ballot regarding the resumption of work.

A BAD RECORD. MELBOURNE, Feb. 21. (The Adctorian birth-rate during 1919 was the lowest experienced, and the death-rate the highest for seventeen years.

NARROAV ESCAPE FROM SINK ING. HOBART, Feb. 20. H.M.A.S. Encounter, lying in the stream, had a narrow escape from a serious mishap. An engine-room artificer by mistake opened a valve, and the ship filled till her lower booms were awash. It was first feared that beaching would lie necessary, and all the boats were got out. The application of a collission mat luckily enabled the valve to be closed. FIRES. HOBART, Feb. 22. One of the most disastrous fires ever witnessed has destroyed Risby’s Timber Mills, and other buildings in the same block were damaged. The damage is estimated at £20,000. MELBOURNE, Feb. 22. A fire damaged Hellings’ big boot factory at Abbotford, the damage being to the extent of £20,000. A TASMANIAN MURDER CHARGE. HOBART, Feb. 22. Jvy Allen, an unmarried domestic servant, has been committed for trial on a charge' of murdering her baby. She confessed that when the child was born it appeared to bo dead. She chopped it up and buried the body. SAD TRAGEDY. SYDNEY, Feb. 22. . A fire destroyed the post office at Cargo. After removing eight children safely, their parents were burned to death.