AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 October 1923, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. NEWCASTLE MINERS. SYDNEY, Oct. 8. Following on the action of the Caledonian Colliery Coy. in closing down the West Wallsend Colliery, rendering idle S(H) miners, owing to there being insufficient trade, the representatives of the northern lodges are holding a conference on Wednesday next lo decide what steps shall he taken. Serious trouble, is possible, the men claiming there is no justification lor such a drastic step as a complete stoppage of the mine.

LIQUOR POLL. BRISBANE. Oct. 3. Tin* latest returns of the Queensland referendum are:— For State Management ... 12,853 For Prohibition 110,101 For Continuance 172,005 AN EARTHQUAKE. SYDNEY, Oct. 8. An earthquake has been recorded at Riverview College Observatory. Tt.s location is given as approximate!! 2500 miles north-west from Sydney. PAINTING OF HISTORIC RACE. SYDNEY. (leifjbcr 0. Mr Markov, owner of Benuford. has presented the Australian Jockey Club iStilinfuitli's painting t:7 the Spring Stakes in 1022. depicting tbe champions Benuford and Gloaming a node apart at the end of tbe historic race. The picture is irgnrdrd as one of the finest, in the C lub's collect ion. DASHED FINE CHAP. SYDNEY. October 0. I

.Speaking to the toast of tlie King, which was drunk with enthusiasm, at the f.ilhgow Labour Day celebrations one speaker said: “.From what they knew of His Majesty he was a (lashed tine little chap milt a man who carried a burden that few of them would euro to hear.’'

POLICE WARNING. (Received this day at 12.25 p.m.) -MELBOURNE, October 9. The Chief Commissioner of Police commenting on the attack on the Bank Manager, said six months ago all hanks in Hip city and suburbs wore warned against the dangers of not providing escorts for officials in charge ui big sums of money, 'fine warning was elfeotive for a while, but the hank authorities were apparently lulled into a sense of false security, as the request for police escorts had slackened oil considerably, although he had offered to provide the police at a reasonable cost.

freight reduction. SYDNEY. October 9.

The freight reductions by the Patrick Steamship Cov.. have so far evoked no response liv the other inter-State services. It is stated the latter is unlikely to take action for several weeks if at all.

RECORD IN SHI PI'TNG. SYDNEY, October 9. A record entry of shipping into Sydney was reported yesterday, there being twenty-two deep sen and inter-State vessels, representing an aggregate gross tonnage in excess n! 120.C0'.). VALUE OF IMPORTS. PERTH, October 9At the sixteenth annual meeting of the Associated Chamber ol Manutaetur. ers it was stated that the total importations into the Commonwealth during 1922 were valued at £ 10 ; •.( H>(> .<Hitl as a gainst £! lITSOS.COO in 102:1. The jnu portatioiis in 19L1 we:C valued at -G7J.Mil.P'tO.

banker robbed. FURTHER PARTICULARS. (Received this day at 1 V-"i.) MELBOURNE, On. Mi- llerrimairs wound was in the breast and not in the stomach. He had a remarkable esea]R', the bundle of papers he was carrying in Ins pocket deflecting the bullet which entered his breast near the armpit and apparently no vital organ was touched. Mr hernman was following his usual weekly practice of taking bundles of mutilated and soiled notes to the head office for eventual destruction, though they were still useable as currency. Apparently ihc robbers were aware of this practice. Two men accosted him and one said: ‘Til carry your hag." Mr Berriman declined the offer and the man closed with him and tried to secure the bag. Mr Berriman struggled and attempted to draw his revolver, whereupon the second man drew a revolver and shot Berriman. He dropped and one of the men snatched the bag. Both then dashed off.

Residents who saw the shooting canie to Berriman’* assistance. He told them not to mind him. but to get his hag. '

Two men went in pursuit of the robbers who turned and threatened them several times with revolvers. After being chased some distance the robbers entered a motor ear which was standing in a side street and drove rapidly away. A general police call was sent out and several were quickly ion the scope, but the ear got dear fiWfiv,