AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 September 1923, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CA-BLE ASSOCIATION. BELL3JIRD MINE DISASTER. 'Received this dav at S a.m.) SYDNEY. Sept. 12. The Colliery Proprietors Association donated £2,500 towards the Bellbiul disaster fund. The Bellbird Rroprictary propone to sink a new nirshaff into tho tunnels where no lire or gas exist. When this is complete, work will be resumed. Most of the idle miners will be absorbed. BUILDERS HIT. SYDNEY September 11. 'Hie latest use of the basic wage has had an unsettling effect on building trade operations. It is stated that as a result of the 3s advance in wages many employers find it difficult to com; letc their commitments and shew a profit, no contingency having been provided for this advance. GUILTY OF MANSLAUGHTER. SYDNEY, slept. 11. A youth, named Leonard I'uddifoot, charged with the murder of the child Ganatt, at Arncliffo (cabled on 29th. May) has been found guilty of manslaughter. Prisoner’* mother gave evidence that his father was in the mental hospital and that the boy lmd also been: treated for mental trouble. The medical evidence showed that the boy was below normal. Piisoner. in a statement from the box simply said that he did not mean to kill the child, or commit a criminal offence. THE LEYUKA’S ACCIDENT. SYDNE) . Sept. 11. The owners of the l.evuka have mi news of the accident, but it is believed lo be of a minor character.

AUSTRALIAN TENNIS. SYDNEY, Sept. 11. The Executive of the Tennis Association has cabled Anderson to arrange [or a visit of Alonso. Richards and Norton to play in the Australasian Championships in January, and allerwards tour the State*. VICTORIAN POLITICS. (IWoivod this day at 8 a.m.) .MELBOURNE, Sept, 11. When the Asomblv met, with the new Government in office. Air Lawson asked for a week’s adjournment to formulate a policy, the header of the Opposition said that the Country Party discredited themselves by joining the 'Government because some members, who lmd joind the Government had destroyed the future of the party. The A senility adjourned for, a week. COCKATOO ISLAND. (Received this day at ILL) a.m.) SYDNEY. September 12. The Commonwealth Shipping Board has decided that operations at Cockatoo Island he continued on a commercial basis. Private docking and 10pair work will be undertaken. THE WREN AEROPLANE. SYDNEY. September 12. Mr Itowden (Minister for Defence), announced that two wren aeroplanes on route to Australia will revolutiontsc aviation in Austral,i:\ lie says that | eople thinking of purchasing a iiiun)i cycle for sporting purpose', will think twice, as a 1 iliiabont wren will be obtainable as cheaply. R van be housed in a backyard and also take ell' from a vacant allotment, or a public roadway. PACIFIC CABLE (BOARD. SYDNEY. September 12. Senator Dinieao complains that the l’nciiie fable Hoard, instead of devoting profits: to a remission of excessive 1 barges iroiu which the- eommeieoi! community and press are suffering, has again allocated them to increasing the already ample icserve fund and redemption o! its capital, lie adds that the Board admits its financial position wan anted a reduction, but it lears the consequent increased traffic, would cause a congestion on the cable, which i< already working at its 101 l capacity. Mr Duncan suggests that these lears could ! ~ allayed, either by a complete duplication of the cable between I'i.ii and Canada, or proceeding with the Board’s proposal lor wireless communication between those countries.

A I’KCEI.IAR CASE. (Received this dav at 11-15 a.m.) (SYDNEY. Sept. 12. A ease is proceeding in which Limerick Steamship Company is claiming liltv thousand sterling from the Commonwealth Government and William ,S.-ott Fell, for alleged illegal detention during the war of two sleaim.es. Emerald Wings and Bronze Wings. Counsel for pin in t ill’s stated that alter the vessels Ic'd been lequisitioned, by the Commonwealth Shipping B"anb despite the owners objections, banded the vessels over to Scott Fell Company. who hired them out to Broken Hill 1 Voprietarv Company. The case involves certain alleged charges against the Commonwealth Government olltemls. Conn-•el dealing with this phase, -aid he wanted it clearly that he made no suggestion of corrupt mu host V,'. M. Hughes, or Admua\ Clarkson, in any shape or form. Ah 1„. said was that what was done m the puttier v. as not bona lido. There was u Studied policy of com ealmelii. but there was no intention to allege cofluption.