AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 January 1924, Page 4

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION TAXATION ON LOAN INTEREST. SYDNEY. January 14. At an informal conference between Dr. Earle Page and Mr Cocks, it was agreed to postpone the meeting of the State and Federal 'Ureasurors until bstei in the month. The conference was convened with the object of considering Urn proposed taxation on loan interest and the eo-ordination of borrowing.. BAKERS TO STRIKE. SYDNEY. Jamiarv 11.

A mas-, meeting of the operative Bakers Union confirmed its previous decision to cease work as from the 12th. unless the master bakers agreed to day baking. Tt was decided that a gene’:J strike in the indu.-lry commence ns from Saturday last.

The employers are not perturbed and state that there is plenty of labour available to enable them to continue doily supplies. They will take immediate action, against the union for a breach of the award.

THE LAKE EVA OIL SWINDLE. METRO!) of salting explained. PERTH, January 11. The healing of the charge against Thompson has commenced. He pleaded noi. guilty. The Crown's ease, rested on Ute ,-cenncl of the three statements made by the accused since his arrest, fie .stated that Inst April Rothkell told him that be had discovered oil and asked the accused to go into partnership with him. He agreed and gave Rothkell ten pounds for a Ill’ll: intere-l in "halever was lound. Five weeks later Rothkell received unit bin ten stating that the oil was thenbut he could not get it in any ipumtity. latter the two of them went to Adelaide "here Rothkell tried to get a ptospeeli;.g area from the Mines Dep-ari ment. 'A liile in Adelaide Rothkell said he had three barrels of oil and explained that Me was going to put it down the here aid salt the well. They went from Aoelaide to Lake Eva. where a bore lade was pul down about thirty feet. A dug-out was made and a tank with a tap attached put in it. A hole was thee made, a couple of I'eet from the I uiv, and a down pipe put on at an angle entering the lioie about ten loot li'osn the surface. Oil and benzine '.'ere then put. iitlo tic tank in the dug-out. which "■■' timbered. There was a pipe running back from the tank. This was fixed to the leg of a table it, the lent and led down through the dug-out and eonnecled to a lap on ; 1 1 v tank so that by turning the leg of the ’.able the tap could be turned on and oil allowed to llmv throw the bore. The Com t adjourned till Friday next-. PRICK OF BETTER REDUCED. SYDNEY. January 14. Tile wholesale pri'V of Inti ter has been reduced threepence to Is 8d per pound. MOTHER AND DAUGHTER BURNT. SYDNEY. January It. The suburban bush fires continued during tin* week-end anti caus a! considcialile damage. While endeavouring to extinguish an outbreak at their borne in WaveiTey, All: Ace!tide and her daughter were so severe!v hurtled that belli were sent to the bo-pita!, where the I'miuer ili ’d. LEATHER EACTORY DESTROYED. MELBOURNE, Jan. 14. .A fire il-etroyed Russel Brother:.’ ltailicr factory at- Richmond. The damage is c-i ii.mfed at Guru thousand. The insurance i- £'.’7,' ,: " t