AUSTRALIAN

Hokitika Guardian, 28 July 1922, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN

irsTHAt .AN AM* N.A. OAHI,S AS.-.01 lAt

A DAM OYER ['LOWING. SYDNEY, duly 27. As a result of the heavy rain, the Burriniuck Dam is overflowing, and the waters are out of control, threatening to become a big flood.

STATE TRAWLERS INQUIRY

SYDNEY, July 27

The inquiry into the State trawling industry has commenced. Mr Summergreens, manager of the .State trawlers, gave evidence that he signed a five years’ contract for a supply of coal on the verbal authority of Mr Dooley, who gave him a free hand. At that time he knew nothing about coal, but if he had known what he knownow, he would have acted differently.

N.S.W. POLITICS. SYDNEY, July 27,

Tne unseating of Mr Asford arose over a transfer of preference votes. The returning officer counted only the preference of the surplus votes, instead of taking a percentage of the whole.

The decision caused a stir, n.s it negatives the present system of ascertaining the transfer value of the votes, and has the effect of disfranchising certain proportion voters. Had appeals been lodged several other seats would have been affected, hut the time limit for such appeals having lapsed, the sitting memliors are now safe. ATTEMPTED BRIBERY. SYDNEY, July 27. Charles Knight, charged with conspiring with several persons to bribe certain aldermen of the City Council in connection with the Martin Place extension scheme, was remanded. SOUTH AUSTRALIA. ADELAIDE, July 27. Parliament was opened by the Lieu-tenant-Governor, whose speech was one of the shortest on record. lie said the Government intended to erect grain silos on Government properties. and to co-operate with the I'Ydepil Government in its immigration scheme.

PRICE OF GAS. (Received this day at 11.30 a.m.) SYDNEY. July 28. The Gas C’oy is reducing the price ol gas from 5s Sd to 5s 6d per thousand I'cct from -Itli August. CORONER’S VERDICT. SYDNEY. July 28. The Coroner found Ring, rallied on

7tli and Bth was accidentally killed through being kicked by a horse. A brother of deceased said he considered it a case of murder. The opinion was formed by the surrounding circuinsta uees.

LORD MAYOR’S RESIGNATION SYDNEY, July 28

The Lord Mayor’s contemplated resignation will he discussed by 1 lie Civic Reform Party on Tuesday. The resignation will lake effect titfloss the partv reverses its vote oil the City survey:minute.

FEDERAL POLITICS. ME!,BOURNE, July 28. In the Assembly. Labour moved a censure .motion, on the grounds that Government had accept'd a private tend: r for the supply of hospital uniforms. against a cheaper tender by Lite Commonweal!lt's clothing lactory. A vote will he taken on Tuesday. In the Representatives Mr Earl Page advocated a different scheme for ascertaining the number of seats to which each State was entitled. He suggested instead of the quota scheme, to divide the total number of electors !>v twice the number of Senators, plus one. Mr Groom replied that the suggested substitute was unconstitutional. In any ease Mr Page gave no good reason why it should lie adopted. Conflicting opinions were expressed by both sides, the House division revealing 24 in favour of Mr Page’s scheme and 25 against, the Country Party voting with labour against the Government.

production improving; SVDNKV. .July 28. Mr Pearce announced tho downward trend in production had Imen arrested, the figures for 1021-20 being seventyfour per <'Ciit of the 1013 and 1020-21 heino eighty-four per cent. PACIFIC ISLAND SERVICE. {Received this day at 10.15 a.in.) MELBOURNE, July 28. Burns Philip tendered £60,000 sterling for the maintenance of the Pacific Islands contract for three years. The amount was reduced to £55,000, at which n was accepted. Burns Phillip were the only tenderers. Mr Hughes announced he had arranged for an improved service, and a reduction of freights on copra. HIDES MARKET. MELBOURNE, July 28. The hides market is dull and restricted. Best heavies with substance, par to a. farthing decline; other grades a farthing to a half-penny. Kips, a full half-penny.