AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 August 1923, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N Z. CARLE ASSOCIATION RIG FLOODS IN VICTORIA. MELBOURNE, July 31. As the result of heavy rain, serious floods are threatening in the Bendigo, Marlborough, Stawell, Horsham, and Rochester districts. Already the reads arc- impassable, and the railways are under water. The railway traliie on several lines is suspended. WHEAT YIELD. BRISBANE, July 31. The Queensland wheat yield loi 1922 from 135,192 r*»res, was 1,877,836 bushels, compared with 3,025,786 bushels from 163,670 acres in 1921. N.Z. HORSES AT SYDNEY. SYDNEY, July 31. Messrs F. D. Jones's and L. Wilson’s teams of racehorses for the spring meeting have arrived at Sydney in good condition. A BIGAMIST. ADELAIDE, July 31. Kennedy, a bigamist, whose case began on May 23, lias Icon sentenced to six weeks' hard labour. In view of Kennedy’s good character and the exceptional circumstances of the ease, the Judge said he had imposed a light sentence, and four weeks having elapsed since commencement of the sessions, the accused would he gaoled for an additional fortnight only.

ATTEMPTED ROBBERY. SYDNEY, July 31

.Mr MeFarlane, mu linger oi the Hamilton brunch ot tin* National Bank ol Australia, had an exciting experience. He was alone in the premises, and was about to close the bank, when a young man rushed in and apologised for troubling him after banking hours, hut said lie wished to deposit a. large sum. .MeFarlane turned to walked to the cashier's and lie "as struck heavily on the back of the head by the intrude! with a length of rubber piping, studded with rivets.

MeFarlane wi\s partially .stunned, but be grappled with his assailant, who at length broke loose, and eseu|>ed in n, waiting motor, driven by a. second man. The intruder left behind a hag containing 21s 3d in silver and copper. PLAGUE DANGER. SYDNEY, July 3i. In view of a recent fatal plague ease, ami a scientific declaration that infection among rats clings for a long time, despite climatic and other conditions, the citv health authorities have issued a warning that ail city properties must bp made rat proof, and efforts musi be used to destroy ileus.

GOOD RAINS. SYDNEY, July 31

There have been general heavy rains throughout the Stale during the past week-. Victoria and Queensland have also been participating over wide areas. A FREEH DISPUTE. SYDNEY, July 31. As a result of a di.-nuto over the employment of a miner during the 1917 strike a! Hebbimi Colliery, there is a possibility of the whole of the northern miners being again idled.

X.S.W. LABOUR LEADER. SYDNEY. July 31

Mr Lang has been elected Leader oi the X.S.W. Parliamentary Labour Party. He was chosen alter Mr Dooley had intimated that he would not stand for re-election.

While a motion commending Mr Doolev’s conduct; during hi- leadership was being discussed. it is stated that Mr .M/ileswoitli and Air Burke came to blows, the latter showing signs of blood on bis lace. Both the latter members denied that such a Innas occurred.

The meeting finally elected All Loughlin as Deimty-Leader, and -Mr Davidson as Whip.

CABLE RATES. (Received this dnv nl 12 nooiD. SYDNEY, Aug I. Commencing on September Ist. a cable letter rate of ninepeiice per word will be instituted. Messages may be lodged any day of the week with the Pacific or Eastern and lie delivered in London as far as possible within fortyeight hours of lodgment. The deferred rate of Is Gd will he retained. FTRE IN MINE. SYDNEY. Aug 1. The management of the Central mine has now found fire in the 1202 ft. level. A NEW RKSKRYOIR. SYDNEY.. Aug 3. Operations are being started on Stephens Creek reservoir, in order to keep up with the demands for water supply. MIXERS STGX ON. SA'DNEY, Aug. 1. Tlio miners have signed on in the northern fields, with the exception of two collieries which are expected to fall into line. WIRELESS REGULATIONS. AIFXBOrnXF. Aug 7. The now wireless regulations provide that except with the consent of the Defence authorities, licenses other than for broadeasing will not he granted except to British horn er naturalised British subjects. A declaration c/f secrecy will be required in regard to commercial. naval or military wireless cmnm nin ion t iomt. I ,-ieeiised ii iistall.it ions will not be permitted, unless speciallv authorised, to compete in commercial traffic with the telegraph or telephone service. Annual license lees range from Bis to fifteen pounds, the latter for broadrastiug. Transmitting licenses will bo issued for five years, renewable annually thereafter am! receiving licenses hi*vo it omToney of on* 1 yoar. Provisions have* boon math l fo» tto regulating of the use of various v.avo lengths. Suctions dealing with broadeasting news provides that the licensee shall not transmit any work of art or a part thereof wherein a copyright exi-ts. except with the consent of the owners of the cnnvright : »r send out am newts obtained.' collected or co-ordinated by any newspaner association oi ue"spap.i or any news agency or service, except, with the full consent, in writing, ot and upon such payment ami conditions as are mutually upon by the licensee and the newspaper association agency or service.

MAIL SERA'ICES

SYDNEY. Au<g 1

Mr Gibson (postmaster) commenting on the shipping report, cabled on the •’3th said the mail boats would scion be converted to oil. thus saving four (lavs .... the voyage. He added that an attempt to renew the land sonic-e fi. m Brindisi to Calais, on the old turn . was unsuccessful.

X.S.AY. STATE ORCHESTRA. MELBOURNE. July ill. The liquidation of (he Verbn.ggnon Guarantee Fund has returned subscriptions at a rate of 12s Ad m the £.