AUSTRALIAN.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 December 1922, Page 1

AUSTRALIAN.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. J OTTER! ES ACT. SYDNEY, Dee 29. The Lotteries Art Union Act comes into force on Ist January. It prohibits the conduct of raffles and sweeps in New South Wales without special permission, and also bars the sale oi tickets in sweeps conducted outside tho State. FIRE ON NIAGARA. SYDNEY, Dec 29. A fire occurred in the engineer’s storeroom on tho steamer Niagara, owing to an electric wire fusing. Ihe crew subdued the flames. No suspieous circumstances arc reported. LAND SCHEME. SYDNEY, Dec 29. It is expected Cabinet will adopt a land settlement scheme in the New Yunr under which large estates adjacent to the railways will he resumed. Government proposes to raise three millions by loan debentures to enable Government sawings bank to make the necessary advances.

FRENCH SQUADRON. MELBOURNE-, Dec 29. Tho French squadron were officially entertained at luncheon by the Federal Parliament, Air Hughes was presented with a palm by Admiral Gilly as a token of France’s appreciation of Australian assistance in tho war.

CIVIL AVIATION. MELBOURNE, Dec 29. Tho Department of Civil Aviation is instituting an examination oi ground engineers, with the object of ensuring safety of all machines before put into use.

OBITUARY. SYDNEY, Doc. 29. Obituary.—A. -M. Brodauk, a wellknown Fijian trader. NAUR A M A NAG EM ENT. AIELBOURNE, Dec. 29. .Mr Hughes has received a memorandum signed h.v the head and twelve other chiefs at Nauru Island defending the present administration of the island ■ The memorandum refers to statements by persons in authority that the interests of the Nauruans are not being so well looked after under British as German rule, and replies to these statements that the Nauruans grateful for all the administration has done to advance the interests of their people. They are specially grateful to the League of Nations- for placing them under the protection of so great a nation as Britain. We have far greater freedom now than under German rule, and it is doubtful whether tho people of other small countries enjov such freedom as ours. Ihe memorandum compares British methods concerning their property interests, improving the social and moral welfare w ith the previous German tyrannical exploitation and expresses the hope that in the near future the island may become part of the Great Empire. COLLISION RESULT. SYDNEY, Dee. 29. The Aluseoota’s damages arc less than anticipated. Her head gear uas carried away anil stern twisted, and some other plates damaged. The foredeck has sprung, and the fore-peak is full of water. Apparently the impact was verv heavy, and the escape from disaster lucky, as the collision occurred at nie-ht, and tho ship was out of hand for some time. Careful handling alone prevented her drifting on the rocks.