AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 January 1924, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CAULK ASSOCIATION, DISASTROUS FIRE. BRISBANE, Jan. 7 Tim iim-t disastrous tire in flic history of Ninnhmir. sixty-five miles north of Brisbane, is reported. A block oi simp- was destroyed on Saturday night. Dm damage being estimated between sixty and eighty thoii-jand. About sixteen shops suffered, representing over half the business house's. There wa- no water -upply and the people rushed their goods into the streets, considerable damage resulting through ihe necessary and rough impromptu handling. Many windows wer- also destroyed u’holcsale in the endeavour to rescue stocks from the (’allies.

The police, in order to cheek Die fire, arranged to blow im with geligni’.e one huilding adjacent to a hmeuay. The explosion was heard mil ■- away. There were several narrow escapes through people in the miner storeys not knowing their danger. All were rescued without injury. RIN DEE REST OUTBREAK. I’KRTH. Jau. 7. Tin- Rinderpest Board ol Control ha- i-siiej a warning that persons found harbouring goals will be prosecuted. Il is stated that a number ol owners are hiding their goat-. The Board has al-o granted permission for the export of wool, provided it i- accompanied by a eertiiiea I e stating that it was grown outside the .Rinderpest area.

WIRELESS TESTS IN THEATRE. NTvWCA ST I. E. .'January 7. A broadens! ing lest wa.- carried out at Dm leading theatres, microphones L ing placed on ihe stage ami 1-011-lieeted with a pallid in the orchestra and Die results were must (successful, the lianil-riapeiiig and laughter of tie-ami;.-nee being iceonle.l v.irl, clarity. During the interval those listening to the 1 1 uiisini-sioo of the tests were amazed lo heir boy- voice- saying, “Any elinrnhites nr ice-cream.” It is stated by wireless ant bo: ities Dial: listeners hear more distinctly than the ntidmime a: Die 1 Ileal r-.-s as when the sounds ais licked iiii by Dm microphone they ate 1 oiisii! ■: ably ailildified at Dm wirel"s.-. station prior to t: aiisiuissioii ic, suliserilieni.

s’.YDNEY WOOL SALES. sjTreri-vd this dav a! 0 a.m 1 SYDNEY. Jam. A -mrie- 1 I v. Iml -al.-s has op -tied with loin !,"l; Imn vitv been lor in woo!-. Mi-rin-i ailvatu-ed live to 71 pi ;• cent. el, 1 - shred - live per ee >' above Dec-mh.---r elo-iug rates. (D'-ave merino s,,ld ie J7'.d and greasy coin •- backs realised Ihe la en|,l price 1 1 J NO REVH'CTION OF TAXATION SYDNEY. Jam M Speaking al i.ilhgov Mr i'.a.rle Page said Dial Da-re vmild Im a -ui plus 01 this year's Federal revenue, hut Deere Would no l-edue' am in tax.it i<oi afhe - iirplils would im a. 1' i l l i 1 - d i-i dueing tlie national debt. 'I I'.-iv wee • nineteen million-, worth "I war gratoiiies til he met tlb ; '•ear and during i fin cimilig year a war loan oi --evenly iwo millions 1111 D lie- naid oli or looter! ed. Dr Page added that the total Com--11101!wea11h luiblie deiil now aninuiii ed to C 1 11 >.i H L 1.1 mn and 'the total < om--11:011 wea II ii and the Stales’ public Join- were mun.liOU.llP'). CHILIAN .MOTOR SHIP SERVICE. SYDNEY January 7. A Chilian company e establishing ! iron,>:!■"' merer wliin < s.. r vtees l-eiwe.-u Dm N'U-Dt P.-ieifte, Australia, and Die We-I Coast ol Saiilli America. FEDERAL CAPITAL. .MF.LBOURNFs January 7 Steady piegress is being made in tin- ereeiion of Dm I’efk-ral Provisional I’ai'liam-'iit Buildings at Canberra, liver one thousand men are now employed on tin- work. DECREASE IN REVENUE. MELBOURNE. January o. Tim Post Office announces a substantial i|,.,-r ( ....s .in the revenue for December as compare.! with December. 1 02 M. Ii il, ait Chilled to tin- i ediamd cost of I ost.ago. Tlie Secretary of Die Postal I lopaiTfuieiil lam aminuiicetl new reforms < Oiiteinplalrd. including an "lalmrate of parcel delivery for Dm suburbs now- being arrang'd, and compulsory letter boxes ol a uniform design for all dwellings end lunr-es not beyond I■> foci Irom tie- pavement. to save Die imu* of’ i Ih* post nit'ii. record revenue. M F.I.BOFRNF. January 7. Victoria’s State railway revenue for pji, yasi yt-ar a 111011 uted to £ 1 1 ,1 JJ.OOO. lining the highest in tlie history of tlie Department, r -^rri3T7^M!!giga«Br^^