AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 May 1924, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[nr TELEGRAPH— PER TRESS ASSOCIATION.] BATHURST GAOL RIOT. SYDNEY, May 20. It is unofficially stated that the Bathurst gaol riot camouflaged a plot for a wholesale murder of warders and lor the liberation of three hundred Prisoners. The authorities are stated j to j losses proof that a dozen of the

most desperate convicts, undergoing life sentences, carefully planned to esca IK3 from gaol, and that the drastic action of warders in using their bayonets and batons in dispersing the prisoners averted a scene of carnage, and probably saved Bathurst from being overrun hy a. mob of desperate criminals. Apparently the first move was made on 'I hursday when a convict, ac-

cording to plans, provoked a warder, :! nd then made a complaint of illtreatment. 'I his was designed to cause Iricfinu and general discontent. On J-rit-ay. talk of a strike became general and a strike was arranged for Saturday. It w»s intended during the anticipated confusion and wild scenes for too prisoners to convey to the (ells all implements which could lie used as tools or weapons, and also a quantity of inflammable material. During the night the prisoners were to break out of their cells and release the other Prisoners and set tlie gaol oil fire, escaping over the walls.

TATTERSALL’S SWEEPS. SYDNEY. .M.iiy II). Replying to the opposition of the churches in Tasmania against. Tattersail’s sweeps. Mr Lyons, Labour Pro micr of Tasmania, stated to-day that the Government received (.'200,000 yearly from sweeps. If the churches wanted them abolished let them provide the L'2(l!l (!(,(' revenue, said Mr Lyons, then tii*> Government might consider the q::e - fion of abolishing the sweeps. SHIPPING TROUBLE. SYDNEY, .May 21. It is iiniiottueeil bv the Labour Council that action had hee'i taken by Shipping Companies to cite an official of the Sydney branch of the Seamen’s Union tu annear before' the Sydney Police Court. Commonwealth Arbitration Court tit Melbourne and High court of Australia, regarding the shipping strike. It is further staled that regarding this as a challenge to the Trade Union movement, the Disputes Committee ol' the Council refuses to intervene at this stage. A meeting of the transport group of the Council, which sal for several hours to consider the deadlock was resultless.

FEDERAL POLITICS. ADELAIDE, May 21. -Mr Bruce speaking at the Chambers of Commerce Congress, indicated there was a danger of the Federal Composite Government coming to an early end, unless there was an immediate agreement between the two parties forming the Coalition. The difficulty was that at pit-sent no arrangement existed for co-operation between the two parties supporting the Government, should ii still he in power when the Federal ol-e-linn occurred. Unless this difficulty was speedily solved it would inevitably lead to breaking up oi the Government. When they went to the country, it must lie with a common united policy.

X.s.w. DEBT. SYDNEY. -May 20. .Speaking of the liuaneirl position e New South Wales, Sir George Kllllei said during ten years from Ist. Jul\ l!)2.'l. loans falling due totalled CIIK)..108,000. The total public iiidcbtodncswas approximately two Immltotl mi! lions. CHARGE AGAINST ( ALT UN. MELBOURNE. May 21. Reliiri- tin- Court of Inquiry. Captain Watson (.Master of the steamer llilk-i-ra). was charged with failing to lender assistance to the crew and passengers oi' the Wviallnli. which sank after tin- collision with his vessel, i-'nr the defence it was stated that the weather was bad and the navigating of the Dilkera required great attention. Any other steps than those taken could not have amotitiled I■ i assistance. Decision was reserved.

VICTOR IA N A UNI ST I! Y I) FEE A TED. MELBOURNE. .May 20. The Slate Ministry was defeated by thirty-one voles to lucnty-six on the Redistribution of Seats Bill. The House then adjourned Cabinet meets to-day. when it is practically certain Mr Peacock "ill apply for a dissolution.

BUND SPECIALISTS. The Window Blind Specialists of New Zealand are Hul.ston’s Ltd.. •137 Colombo Street. Sydenham. Christchurch, ifulston’s Ltd., can quote prices easily lower than anywhere else. They use only the best of Cndoless Holland and they give an unconditional guarantee of complete satisfaction or the purchasers money refunded*. "Write to Hulston’s Ltd., lor their quote.—it "ill save you money.

A FIREMAN’S LUCK

AUCKLAND. May 21. The steamer Dorset lias arrived from Liverpool via Panama. She reports that when 101 l miles west of the canal she picked up Clermont Station, aged o(, v.bo was found ‘touting < n a lilebiio.v. Station stated he was a fireman on the oil-tanker San Pedro and lel I overboard from that vessel 21 hours

previously. The Dorset had passed the San Pedro in the Canal ami noticed that she was living her (lag half-mast. Stndctt said he bad been on watch on 12t.1i. from midnight to I a.m. He climbed on the rail to take a .-bolt cut and overbalanced and tell uvorlxiard. Hi' floated and swam ami found the life-buoy which bad been presumably thrown from the Sail l’edro. He kept as lively a- possible to frighten away sharks until the Dorset, who was passing close, heard him call and picked him up. Ho was in lied for two days after the rescue. On arrival at And;-* land he was provided for by the American Consul.