AUSTRALIAN.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 November 1921, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN.

AUSTRALIAN ANII N.Z. OAIILE ASSOCIATION. NEWSPRINT KNPKRI.M ENT. SYDNEY, November 14. SLite timber Yards are carrying out experiments in connection with the manufacture of newsprint from mountain gum tree pulp. Government is submitting tin- pulp to a test immedialelv. The Crown owns thousands of acres of land containing mountain trees.

ALLEGED GRAFT. (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) SYDNEY. November 15. In tile Brainstem ease, counsel for Taylor continued that tenders were called by the council for the supply of half a million wood blocks and (-ill and Read were employed to tender, dill secured an introduction to Bramstnii nml the latter agreed to ascertain what wafj a likely figure it would be wist- to lender. Gill, describing himself as an agent, gave evidence detailing a series ol conversations with Hiainstini wherein be alleged the latter said it would be necessary to pay liim commission on the contract. A\ itncss objected to Ibis, wlierc-tlpon Brainstem siiid a commission would not lie paid by Gill ol' Read but n.v the Council, and wrote a list of increased prices to be put in the tender. He *a Isi > suggested that (111 l slumlil give a hank guarantee instead ol a. cash deposit, stating that will relieve you of providing extra cash for the amount to la- paid to me. lie added. I have to hoy oil' several mcmhiTs "f the combine who are in opposition to my crowd.

In reply to a question as to how that was managed without the others knowing, he said they stay away from the Council meetings. lie also said In' had increased tin- prices in the tender by £7Oll sterling. At a subsequent interview Rranistnii said the lender had been accepted, hut an objection luid been lodged which would mean delay of a fortnight-, and witness Inter gave him L'2s. During a further interview, liramstnii promised to secure aiiolltei mntrnrl for the same number of blocks at an increased price ol ten shillings per thousand, tile understanding being ill at witness would give Itraiuston - friends CIOO sterling each. Late,, llramstou said lie would accept L'.MHI cash and £SOO in instalments, as witness was paid by the. Council. Btani«lun added that if witness curried out Inis contract he could rely on receiving an older for a hundred thousand worth of electrical machinery. The eii«« wa« adjoin iied till Thursday.

IN NEW GUINEA. EXPEDITION RETURNS. (Received This Dnv at 9. Kl a.m.) SYDNEY. Nov. If

The Commonwealth expedition undei the leadership ol Doepo Campbell Brown, lias returned alter -pending ncarlv a vear exploring the natural resources of the mandated territory in New Guinea. Brown will submit a ropoit to Government. The expedition seemed mill'll valuable information and met with numerous adventures particularly among the primitive tribes, some 111 are cannibal. Along Ramil River many bad never seen a white mail. All were armed, but readily responded to friendly advances. Some splendid types were seen, but taken as a whole tho most striking thing was their diseased condition. Tropical ulcers, trambesia cata raid and diseases resembling leprosy wen- Iriglltfiilly prevalent. There is pi essingjieed for a medical mission. No missionaries have pellet i a ted the region. Enormous numbers ol birds ol paradise wen- sl<n - An extensive scries of volcanoes, mostly extinct and thermal springs and oevsers were examined.

RUMOURS OK THEFTS. Received This Day at 11.30 a.m.) MELBOURNE, Nov Hi. I! umntirs are eurrciil ill Federal circles that a number ol charges tm embezzlement, hate been made against people ill Rahual and some have been arresind. I* ' s understood Mr Hughes is niakilig a definite statement, .■oiifirnii,„, or sn out ing the disquieting rumours respecting the assets of Germans in tlii* mandated territory.

El EPII ANTS BREAK LOOSE MELBOURNE. Nov. lfi. Excite was caused in Port Melbourne ibis morning by lour elephants breaking their chains at. a. circus and running' amok. After smashing a shed, buv and galvanised iron fetieo, one l.ruko lmnmliT anti entered a pardon at tin 1 rear of a house in (‘rock ford Street, juulj smashed tin* feme and trees, but. on arrival nf the trainer returned <|iiieU lv to tin* circus. On,, attendant was nt to 11 1 a * hospital having been in ji ire*l hy a Hying trunk.

SI'DNKY, Nnv. H». Kx-Sister Figouri's counsel has revived a letter fr«»m the Inspector-!»en-•ral of Police staling signed statements lave iiectt ohlsiined from all available witnesses in eonneetion with the re•eiit, ocpillTUlieiN. Tile oflotlCC disclosed in tln*se statements are considered to

oik* ~f riol. As l lie oeeiiircn es look plaie several weeks ago the eviih'liee of ideal ilieal ion. excepting igainst Joseph Part ridge. are not at uvsent of a conclusive character. It is not intended to institute police procedings. 'Hi is decision is also guided hy the manifest reluct nncy of Miss Partridge to give evidence against her },ioliter, lie adds that it is competent for any aggrieved parties to institute independent proceedings on their owe account.