AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 July 1924, Page 1

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CARLE ASSOCIATION

THE FIGHT ON A MOAT,

SYDNEY, July 21

The details of the Wantabadgcro tragedy show the two men were on a boat when an altercation arose. It is alleged it. ended with them lighting with axes. Motli were terribly injured. Sheldon succumbed a few hours later. UNION OFFICIALS CHARGED. SYDNEY, July 21. The trial of union officials oil a charge of conspiracy (cabled .May 15), lias commenced. After evidence for the prosecution similar to that previously cabled, the case was adjourned until to-morrow. Lail was refused. WAGEB DISPUTE. SYDNEY, Jifly 21. Tlie Federal ArbiUution Court has commenced the hearing of a cli-im by the Federated Seamen’s Union against the Commonwealth Steamship Owners’ Association for the payment of urges to the mew of the steamer Sates who were imprisoned in Adelaide lor reins. • ing duty. The Union claimed the mui ' should he paid while in gaol. The hearing was adjourned to Ale:- ! bom 1!,.'.

FORTNIGHTLY SERVICE TO ENGLAND.

SYDNEY, July 21

.It is officially announced that the Peninsular Company, from the first o, March, will conduct a fortnightly mail service between England and Austia--lia and during the outwatd and homeward passenger seasons the Orient Company will also run a fortnightly service which will mean during that period a steamer will leave weekly.

SEARCH PARTY EORAIED. .MELBOURNE, July 21. The scene of the repot ted Douglas Alawson tragedy is on the peninsula i t the Western side cd' the head of the Gulf of Carpentaria. The country is exceedingly rough, and piaetknlly terra incognita. No living white man appears to have crossed it, raid no local native knowledge is available. A search party, to consist of the police and experienced bushmen, who arc being asked to volunteer, will he armed and prepared for eventualities, as it is regarded .possible they may have to deal with hostile, savage natives; hiit extreme measures will be taken only in emergency. ‘I he pasty is expected to leave Darwin in or aboutthis week. DARWIN, July 21. Experienced nautical men are disbelieving, regarding tlie Douglas Alawson story. They say that conclusive proof has been secured that the Douglas Alawsou was wrecked lour hundred miles from the point where the native reported the murder of some of the crew. They also claim that neither the vessel nor tho crew could have reached such a position in the violent cyclone and storm, which raged at the time of the wreck, and also point out that three missions and a police station are within a two hundred miles radius of the scene <;f the alleged tragedy, ami the missionaries could not have failed to hear something long since.

'I lie Alawson expedition will he commanded by Colonel Storey, and will proceed by sea from Darwin to Bomolocla. It will be ItiMy armed, as lighting with native., is anticipated.