AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 March 1924, Page 1

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. WAR GRATUITY DEBT. SYDNEY, March 17. When the war gratuities were granted to the returned soldiers, tho banks found six million sterling to enable the Commonwealth Treasury to make cash payments in necessitous cases, on an understanding that they could obtain Australian notes to the extent of six million. The Note Board have now decided finally to discharge this obligation, by issuing notes to the extent of six millions, less the amount already drawn by the Banks. This will increase the note issue by approximately £4,200,000. MUSCULAR CHRISTIANITY. SYDNEY, March 14. The complaint is often made, even by many of the clergy, that the Church is losing its “punch,” but in at least one parish in Sydney it is leaving no stone unturned to vitalise its force. In the Anglican Church in one of the populous Sydney suburbs the clergyman is establishing the gospel of muscular churchmanship by the inauguration of a Boxing Club. The opening night of the Club was something to be remembered. There were recitations and sentimental songs, and orchestral selections, to give a little diversity to the function, but the amateur “pugs” predominated. It suggested the Stadium in the odour of sanctity. In tho best ring-side manner. the men of the parish “put their hands together” for tho local lads of the church who had donned the gloves, and who banged and sloshed and biffed one another with much zest. “Quit vc like men and fight.” They were practising the gospel according to Samuel, and they revelled in it. Hefty professionals, about eight in all, attended to give the clergyman a helping hand—a strange mixture of the parsonical and the pugilistic, iu an endeavour to restore to the church some of its old, healthy, practical mili-

tancy. . The little show was also brightened by one of the parsons present divesting himself of his back-to-front collar, and giving an exhibition bout of ju-jitsu. The parson had his opponent on the floor when an uncouth young parishioner, mistaking the church hall for the stadium bawled out: “But in the leather, mate.”

NAVAL SQUADRON

REACHES MELBOURNE,

MELBOURNE, March 17

The British touring squadron arrived here at seven o’clock this morning. It presented an impressive sight as, led by the monster flagship “Hood,” it steamed to the anchorage. The weather was perfect. A squadron of eight aeroplanes met and escorted the squadron in. A flotilla of heavily laden steamers and small craft was float in the bay, while great crowds from the shore, and perched on roofs of buildings and other bantago points, accorded an enthusiastic welcome. Many sightseers had spent an allnight vigil awaiting the squadron’s arrival, hundreds of motor cars assembling, particularly in the vicinity of Queensclilf and tho Heads. Tho night being fine and mild, they had •in enjoyable, merry time. The warships made their way up the Bay amid tile crash of naval bauds, and the roar of field pieces, the shrieking of sirens, and tlio honking of- thousands of motor cars. The harbour and c-ity were ablaze with bunting. Admiral Feld and the officers landed at noon, and attended various official welcoming functions.