AUSTRALIAN.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 April 1922, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN.

VnSTSAEIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION GUN ALLEY MURDER. MELBOURNE, April 20. As the time for the execution of Ross for the Gun Alley murder approaches, a campaign of intimidation against the Crown officials concerned in the case is being intensified. Many threatening letters have been received, and one has been delivered to the Crown Prosecutor stating that he will die as soon as Ross is hanged.

THE MOUSE PLAGUE. OVERWHELMING IN NUMBERS. CAUSING GREAT DAMAGE. (Received This Dav at 8.30 a.m.) SYDNEY, April 20. Further gloomy reports come from th e Mouse infected country areas. The pest not only strips crops, but climbs and destroys fruit and grape crops. Farmers are afraid to plant wheat, because the mice will destroy the seed in the ground It is impossible to protect stored grain and food. A teamster left a bushel of feed in a hag overnight and found a quaking bushel of bloated mice next morning Trapping and poisoning has little effect while eats and dogs waged war till their efforts come to a standstill. As a set off, it is claimed the pest is doing good by destroying noxious weeds, and robbing nests of sparrows which themselves arc a pest in the grain districts

THE 44-HOUR WEEK

A MINISTER’S COMPLAINT

(Received This Dav at 8.30 a.m.) SYDNEY, April 21. Mr Henley, Minister of Works, fresh from an experience of a tourist resort, declaims loudly against the injurious effect of the forty-four hour system is having on the Tourist business. He and his family arrived at an hotel a few minutes before eight at night and were told they could not have dinners, already paid for, because under the system, no meals were served after eight. They had to content themselves with a makeshift. Henley, having to attend a Cabinet meeting had to leave early next morning, and was compelled to go without his breakfast, which was in. eluded in the hill, because the stall' would not start before eight. 'Flic Minister declares “The tune of the tomfool legislation, included in the award, represents democracy gone mad. The only remedy is to sweep such awards out of existince and give the country an opportunity of returning to sanity and progress,”

MAORI TEAM FOR N.S.W

SYDNEY, April 20

'Flic Uouncil of the New South Wales Rugby Union lias empowered the completion of negotiations for a visit of a Maori team. It is proposed their visit shall precede that of the All Blacks, probably six weeks intervening between the visits.

N.S.W. LEAGUE EOOTBAIJ

SYDNEY, April 20

The New South Wales Rugby League has decided to grant a bonus of £2OO to each member of the team that toured England. It has also decided to extend an invitation to an English team to visit' Australia in 1923. Arrangements for a visit of a New Zealand team have been left in the hands of the League delegation from New South Wales, at present in New Zealand.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. Received This Day at 11.30 a.m.)

SYDNEY, April 21

The Chamber of Commerce Conference rejected an amendment opposing Mr CaiTiitliers million farms scheme as impracticable. A resolution was passed urging a reduction of the duty on agricultural machinery, by fifty per cent, requesting Government to abolish chocolate wheels, except when run lor strictly charitable purposes.

(HESS. MELBOURNE, April 21

Royec heat Davies (New Zealand) in the fifth round of the chess championship. He bad a good chance of winning at the thirty-seventh move, hut lost through a lew weak moves and was forced to resign. SYDNEY, April 21. New South Wales Chess Association is appealing for funds to send the winner of the championship games now Icing played at Melbourne, to the international tournament to he hold m Europe m August, as the representative of Australia.

A NEW TRIAL. MELBOURNE, April 21. A new trial of Scarborough Clark Orton for conspiracy in the Badak mine ca o was commenced in the Criminal Court. The proceedings are expected to last some days.

PLAGUE PATIENT DEAD. (Received This Day at 11.U0 a.m.! SYDNEY. April 21.

The plague patient taken to the hospital on Tuesday, died hist night. I 1 ive other patients in the same hospital are out of danger.

The fifth rat found in Sussex Street premises is expected to he the last, as the authorities have thoroughly fumigated the area.

OFFER BOR RACEHORSE. SYDNEY, April 21

A rumour is circulating that £BOOO were offered for Beatiford. K. Austin of Chisholm and Company, Auctioneers, stated many tempting offers were made Init the owner declines to sell.

X.S.W. LABOUR. SYDNEY. April 21. Mr Dooley was re-elected leader of the Labour I‘arty. Mr McGirr did not seek re-election as deputy or any other post.

A HOT SPELL. SYDNEY, April 21. The temperature yesterday was 91, the highest since 1859 for April. The dry spell is causing anxiety in the grazing areas. Rain is needed to improve the pastures and also for filling tanks and reservoirs. ♦vmp ,jgwn e»*s<v«c*— LONDON, April 19. Toth ill in pjfty 7.000, McOonaehy '4.257,