AUSTRALIAN.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 April 1922, Page 1

AUSTRALIAN.

\UHTBAMAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION

ROSS’S APPEAL. MELBOURNE, April 13. Mrs Ross, who stated she had sold her house and now had the money to appeal for a reprieve of her son, appealed for the reprieve of Colin Ross, to the Attorney-General, who said he could hold out no hope, and she would only waste time and money in attempting to proceed further. Mrs Ross stoutly protested her son’s innocence. N.S.W. MINISTRY. SYDNEY, April 13. The new Ministry has been sworn in. Sir ,T. Fuller is Premier; Mr Oakes Chief Secretary and Minister of Health; Mr Cooks, Treasurer; Mr Bavin, At-torney-General ; Mr Wearne, Minister of Lands and Forest; Sir Thomas Henlev, Minister of Works and Railways and Rousing; Mr Brnntell, Minister of (Education and Industry ; Mr Fitzpatrick, Minist-ei of Mines and Local 'Government; Mr Ball, Minister of Agriculture; Mr Ley, Minister of Justice. Mr Farrer who is a member of the Legislative Council, has the fortfolio of Labour Mr Chaffey will be Assist-ant-Minister of Lands and Agriculture. Sir Joseph Cnrruthers is Vice-President of me Executive Council The Progressives strongly favoured a reduction in the number of portfolios. However, there is a retention of the full number by Sir J. Fuller. This is considered likely to give offence to the Progressives. There is some surprise at the appointment of Mr Farrer, who formerly was prominent ns a Labourite, and who only joined the Nationalists after the Labour split on the conscription issue. Sir T. Henley the new Minister of Works, who will control all State industries, expresses an uncompromising hostility to State trading activities. He states that he intends to adopt a drastic policy of non-interference with rate enterprise. BARONET IX DIVORCE COURT. SYDNEY, April 13. In the Divorce Court here, a man named Meikl, is being sued for divorce by bis wife. He is in reality Sir Hector Douglas Mackenzie Meikle, baronet, who is working as a gardener. Even after he succeeded to the title in 1916, he continued to cycle to work daily. Apparently he was more concerned with flowers than with his new honour. In her petition, Lady Meikle stated that she had purchased their home with money saved from her wages as a charwoman. which occupation she followed shortly after their marriage in 1918, and which she has continued to follow eve since. N.S.W. POLITICS. (Received This Dnv at 8 n.m.) SYDNEY, April 15. Bnixner, Lender of the Progressives, says the number of new Ministers is a shock to the people. He ?s' surprised and disappointed that no attempt has been made to reduce the number of portfolios. It seemed as if the offices were created for men instead of vice versa. • Country interests had been completely subordinated. Notwithstanding the Coalition pact, only three countiy members of whom two are city solicitors were included in the Ministry. Mr Bruxner, subsequently paid a courtesy call on Mr Dooley at the private hospital. The visit possesses no political significanceNEW MAIL SERVICE. MELBOURNE, April 14. The Commonwealth is inviting tenders for a new mail service to the Pacific islands, on the same lines as provided by the Burn s Philip Coy. The Com. momvealth has revoked the proclamation issued in 1914 prohibiting the export flour and wheat from Australia.