AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 March 1924, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. A SERIOUS QUAKE. (Received this day at 11.-15 a.re..) SYDNEY. March 10 The earthquake shock at Yass was more serious than first reported. Houses were badly shaken, plaster falling from the walls. Many people fainted. Only a little more force was needed to cause a disaster and terror. A TRAGEDY. SYDNEY, March 10 Details of the Appin tragedy show Constable Flynn arrested Simpson, who. was employed at Cordeaux dam works, on a charge of breaking and entering a store at the works. Prisoner was not handcuffed, and was placed in a ear owned and driven by Clift, Resident Engineer at the dam. Alter eleven miles were traversed, the prisoner who was seated at the hack of the ear with the constable, like an ordinary passenger, drew a revolver and placing it against Flynn’s side lired. Flynn Fell forward on his lace. Clift hearing the shot, lielore the car stopped jumped to the footboard and grabbed Simpson, who still held the smoking revolver. A terrific .struggle followed, the combatants falling into the roadway where another shot was tired, the bullet entering ( lilt’s groin. Despite the wound he continued the struggle and wrenched the revolver from tlie murderer's hand, when the pain of Uh’ wound compelled him to release the man who decamped. Although the pain was almost unbearable Clift climbed into the car and drove to Appin in an effort to save Flynn who was huddled on the floor. After a terrible drive lie reaeliel Appin but as soon as the ear came to a standstill he collapsed and was taken to the hospital. It was then found that Flynn was dead. Clift’s dying depositions were taken. Later in the evening mounted policemen arrested William Simpson, near Appin, after a short struggle and charged him with I lie murder.

LABOUR DECISION. SYDNEY. March 10 Australian Labour Party decided that all delegates at the forthcoming Australian Labour Party conference must sign a solidarity pledge staling l(lev are not a member of any other political organisation, before they will lie permitted to take part in the deliberations of the conference. The decision is particularly aimed at Communist members ol the party. As a result of the Broken TTtft municipal strike the sanitary service has ceased gravely menacing the public health. The school hours have been eurtailed. FLOOD DAMAGE. BRISBANE, March |0 Flood waters are still rising and the mail services are disorganised. Many place- will he without mails for at least a fortnight. sentenced. PERTH. March It). I.amprieie. cabled on the sth. was sentenced to three year-’ hard labour and declared an habitual criminal, lie will lie detained alter the expiration of the -etitem-e during the Governor'- pleasure. STONEMASONS' DEMAND. MELBOURNE. March UI The Stonemasons' Society <4 Australia have served a new log on employer-. demanding a lorty hours week and increased "age- loi \ ietorm, New* South Wales and South Australia. Application i- also made to the Arbitration Court tor a r-ntitpulsury cottier-