AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 April 1924, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION, FAMOUS DIVER’S DEATH. SYDNEY, April 3. The death at Fremantle last week at the age of c 4 years of a famous diver, Thomas Hearn, recalls a number of acts of great heroism for which he was honoured, including the saving under imminent peril of the life of a Maori. He was born iu Kent, England, and came to Australia, when ho was 15 years of ago, landing in Victoria, In the year 1882, when engaged in salvaging the ship Ocean Mail at the Chatham Islands, he descended at groat personal risk and rescued a Maori who had got into difficulties. For this deed lie was presented by the Maoris with a very fine greenstone relic. He was diver in charge of underwater operations while work was going on in connexion with the building of both the Princess and Falls Bridges, Melbourne, and, during the building of the latter bridge, was instrumental in again saving human life. A cylinder burst uniter water and a man named Charles Byers, who was working on ft. at the time, was injured. Discarding all thoughts of risk, Diver Hearn descended into tile water and brought Byers to the surface. For liis gallantry on this occasion ho was presented with a

trowel and testimonial from %• Masonic fraternity, of which lie was a member. During the time of the flooding of the mine at Bonnievale, West Australia, in 1907, Hearn 1 was again called upon to risk his life in an effort to save that of a fellow-being—an Italian named Vnrisclictti—and he answered the call nobly. With Diver Hughes, lie descended to a depth of H)0I5 feet below surface and kept communication open while his fellow diver proceeded 252 feet along a drive to the imprisoned miner. A certificate and medal from the Royal Humane Society, a certificate and medal from King Emanuel of Italy, a certificate of credit from the Mining Managers’ Association of West Australia, and a testimonial from the Mayor and councillors of Fremantle were his rewards for gallantry on this occasion.

Owing to the effects of his terrible experience at Bonnievale. Diver llearn was forced to give up bis profession shortly afterwards, divers' paralysis having comemnced to manifest itself. For 28 years the deceased was connected with the Fremantle Harbour works. LABOUR’S SUCCESS. PERTH, April 12. The laihour Party is in an absolute majority as a result of the winning of one of two deferred polls. The final state of the parties will lie unaltered. CAUSE OF BROWN HEART IN APPLES. HOBART. April 12. An expert has reported to the fruit Advisory Board that brown heart in apples has been traced to too much carbon dioxide iu ships holds. AUSTRALIAN FLIGHT. SYDNEY, April 12. The aviators Mclntyre and Goble have arrived at Gladstone.. DISSENSION DENIED. SYDNEY. April 12. Members of the Cabinet deprecate the statement repeatedly made by opponents of the Government that there is dissension in Cabinet and that Sir .1. Fuller is retiring from the I’reniiersbip. Mr Ley said the allegations that he was seeking the Premiership were unfair and unjustified. MEAT BONUS. SYDNEY. April 12. Mr Bruce informed a deputation that the Federal Government will not renew the meat bounty of three farthings per pound on beef exported, until the meal industry materially improves its organisation. He was disappointed that no fresh proposals or concrete ideas wore before him. CLAIM AGAINST STEAMER. SYDNEY. April 12. A claim lias been lodged against the Honolulu Marti for salvage. A writ for £IO,OOO sterling lias been issued against the Japanese steamer Honolulu Main on behalf cf the owners and crew of the tug champion.

westrauan politics. fPERTII. April 12. Government intends to resign on Monday, and the Labour Party • trill elect a Ministry on Tuesday. Mr Collier was re-elected leader of the- party and it is expected he tv ill he Premier. The Opposition has ‘2O seats against*2-1 of the other parties. OUTBREAK OF BLACK-LEG. PERTH, April 12. A disease presumed to he black-log, broke out among cattle in low-l.ving areas. There have been numerous dentils. COTTON CROP FAILURE. POR T DARWIN. April 12. The cotton crop in the Nnithern Territory is practically a failure. The season's rainfall was more than 20 inches below the average and it- is now too late for a recovery. The peanut ci■ ■ | s will he lair.

PRAYERS FOR REPRIEVE

.M KLHOUKNK, April 13 A special service Lo pray lor the reprieve ol* Angus Murray was held today at St. John’s Church. PRESS NEWS. ADMIRAL El ELD’S COMPLAINT. {Received this day at S a.m.) SYDNEY. April 13. Speaking "at a dinner by the Chamber of Commerce, Admiral Field in urging the need for rapid and suro communications within the Empire, stressed the necessity of wireless and said the cables were full of work. The news from England should not come from loreign source'. Almost all the press news lie had received during the present cruise came I nun Germany or France. Tie urged the Chamber to interest. itself in the question of wireless so that he could urge the Imperial Government to get on with the Empire chain in the interests of commerce and liuance and in order that during the time of war the Empire would not he left without wireless communications. BRISBANE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS BRISBANE. April 13. The Labour Party gained control of the Mayoral positions of Brisbane and South Brisbane as well as some suburbs at the municipal elections in Brisbane. The city council has eleven Labour Aldermen, two members of the anti-Soeialist party were elected. In South Brisbane Labour secured eight representatives and their opponents four. ROY VL AGRICULTURAL SHOW. ; SYDNEY, April 14 The Royal Agricultural Show open t o .dav There are record entries for al sections and every State and Net Zealand is represented.

PICNIC TRAGEDY. BATSON DECLARED INSANE. (Received this day at 10.10 a.m.) SYDNEY, April 14 Batson has been sentenced to death for the murders at Jingellie, but as he is officially declared insane, the criminal proceedings against him have consequently been withdrawn and he is confined to a mental institution. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS. PERTH, April 14. Writs have been issued for the Legislative Council elections, polling day being on the 10th of May. STOP WORK MEETINGS. MELBOURNE, April IT The Port Phillip Stevedores Union is holding stop work meetings to-day to discuss their alleged . unsatisfactory working conditions. PETITION FOR MURRAY. MELBOURNE, April 14 A procession through the city followed by a meeting on the bank of the Yarra, at which ten thousand were present, adopted a resolution bearing sixtev-five thousand signatures asking for a reprieve, was presented to » special meeting of the Executive Council which decided the sentence must stand. Murray will be executed 10-da.v. WORM IN COTTON CROP. BRISBANE, April U An outbreak of the pink boll worm has been discovered in the coastal cotton crops.