AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 21 May 1923, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

AUSTRALIAN* AND N.Z. CAULK ASSOCIATION. TIMBER YARDS FIRE. SYDNEY, May 21. The damage of the Laugdons fire is now estimated at CG0,()().). A RUN AAV AY TRAIN. (Received this (lav at 10. Li a.m.) SYDNEY, May 21 A goods I rain of twenty-six trucks laden with coal and cement for Lithgnw became unmanageable near I.awson, and dashed down the mountain at SO miles an hour. The couplings midway in the train snapped and the first section train forgeil ahead, but was soon overhauled bv the rear section, gathering a terrific speed. The resultant impact derailed the engine and telescoped the trucks at Springwood, ten miles from the starting point. The wreckage was piled high and caught fire. The crew were violently hurled from the engine ami trucks miraculously escaping serious injury. Breakdown gangs are at work clearing the scene. It is expected there will he no interruption of traffic by to-day.

WRECKAGE FOUND. BRISBANE, May 21. The harbour master at Thursday Island reports that wreckage was discovered near Turtle Island, near Prince ot Wales Island, consisting of deck planking, a boatswain's chair, hatch. Woodwork of the wreckage lias been despatched to Brisbane with a view to ascertaining whether it belongs to Douglas Mawson. NAVAL BASK QUESTION. MELBOURNE. May 21. Rear Admiral C'resswell says the choice of Singapore as a naval base is a wise one. ft will be of greater vital importance to Australia and New Zealand's security than any on their own land, as it will have at its mercy the lino of communication of enemy fleets passing south. Tu other words Singapore and its grand fleet will have to be eaten up before Australia and New Zealand can be seriously menaced. A Meet in Sydney harbour would seal the latter as a commercial port.