AUSTRALIAN.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 February 1921, Page 1

AUSTRALIAN.

VARIOUS CABLED HEMS

BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSN., COPYRIGHT,

WOOL SALES,

MELBOURNE, Feb. 12.

At Geelong wool sales, 4500 bales were offered and tbe bulk purchased by Americans desirous of securing shipment to America before proposed duty, fixed by Congress operates. ADELAIDE, Feb 12.

Competition was fairly general, and bidding at times was animated at tbe fifth series wool sales. Ten thousand bales were offered, mostly average wools. Bradford and also Continental’ buyers were to the fore. The demand was brisk for good sixty-four*.

SEAMEN’S TROUBLE. SYDNEY, Fel> 12

Walsh (Secretary) replied to the Secretary of tlie Shipowners, stating the seamen protest against the outlook. They were prepared to resume on the conditions existing prior to Ihe lockout or to meet the owners in conference. N.S.W. ORCHESTRA. SYDNEY, Fell 12. Government have decided to abandon the State Orchestra. Herr Vcrbrugghen states this is not only a loss to the musical community, but a calamity to citizens of culture generally. He had every confidence that there were sufficient enthusiasts in Sydney to help to keep the orchestra going. Referring to the abandoned New Zealand tour, ho said the visit was not. only inconvenient at this stage, but lie doubted whether it would be such a success as if carried out as originally playned. FEDERAL FINANCE. MELBOURNE, Feb. 12. The complete revenue totals for the Commonwealth for the half-year ended 21st Dec. are: Receipts £27,000.000, which is £7,747,000 more than previously. The expenditure was £26,773,000 or seven million more than the corresponding period of 1919. The public debt is now £397,063,000 against which the Commonwealth has assets of 11 millions. CRIMINAL GANG. A SYDNEY INFLICTION.

SYDNEY, IVI.. It

Recently Constable Wolgast was sluu dead while attempting to arrest a man in Centennial Park, for suspected bag snatching. A man named Speech Icy was arrestid and committed for trial on a charge of murdering Constable Wolgast. Evidence given by actual participators in the depredations disclosed that for years the Park was haunted -by a big gang known as,rite CVutennial Park Hundred, who dogged people, bag Hatching and blackmailing. Some operated in the daytime but mostly at night, when sweethearting couples were the chief victims. ' Sections of the gang were known as the "Daysiders” and the “Nightwdrkers.”