AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 September 1924, Page 1

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

A STRANGE CUSTOM. SYDNEY, Sept. I. In strange ways and in strange places, people seek the smiles of the hliml goddess Fortune. Even I’nivrcsity studeiils look to her to cheer them with hope he fore they nervously enter ik" steps of the temple of -Minerva for their examinations, with a greater respect for this deity than that evinced hy the poet when lie exclaimed :

Fortune, a goddess is to fools alone, 'I h" wise are always masters of their

A lew days ago a young student of tlie University of Sydney, (lescrihed as a line, healthy type of voting manhood. met his death ill tragic eireiimstanees at a notorious spot in Sydney known as the (lap, near Sydney Heads notorious for the inimher of people who lose their lives there. The father of the student, in evidence at the inquest, could not aeemint lor his hoy's death. He did not attribute it to foul play, nor could he believe this his mid had met his fra pie death hut hy accident, heeau.se of His brightness and healthy outlook on life. The father's evidence revealed a curious fact that it was a custom for Fnivcrsity students lo visit the flap, for pood luelc. before sitting for an examination, mid it was lii.s belief that his hoy had in this wav tried lo will the smiles of Fortune and had, hy accident, slipped and crashed into the swirliiip waters helow. The (lap, ns a matter of fact, is notoriously dangerous even for sightseers. The authorities put a hurhed wire fence alonp its edge, hut people persist in petti up thi'ouph it.

Queensland gems. POPULARITY OF EMERALDS. SYDNEY, Sept. I. A year or so apo the Queensland (loverum.enl determined to stimulate the trade abroad for its rich prodtie(ion uf penis, especially emeralds. With considerable satisfaction they now report a wave of popularity that has been attained by the emerald in fashionable circles abroad. "Precious stones," tlie report states, "seem to have taken their place in tlm world’s markets as a source ol investment, and it is a curious fact that larpe sales are constantly reported as havinp taken place in those countries where tlie currencies are the most precarious. There anpears to lie an cver-inerensinp number of people who purchase jewellery not only for its natural beauty lull with an eye to its intrinsic value as mi investment. Emeralds remain tlm rarest of precious stones. owing to the extremely limited sources ol supple, and an emerald ol line deep colour stili costs considerably more than an eiptally line brilliant ol similar

size. The dictates of fashion seem in have decided ill favour ol I lie emerald, especially diiriup laic years, as this tone is mere popular than any other coloured stone, with the possible exeepiioo ol llm less eo-tly and valuable sapphire."

PRODUCE PH I CMS. SYDXKY. Sept. IS. dais. Tasmanian Alperian ‘ls 'ld to Is l'„| |er bushel ; white giants Is Gd to |s 111. Move Ae I le" I!. Id; 1" It. lid; wl.il" I' Ad. I’olalecs. Itw in" le hoary supplies, show a further decline t.» £’l to £R per i nil. Onions. Scan el : ri -e to SI--. A; Alh hiille. oats ale As I'd to As Ad ; er bushel. SYDXKY. Si'idemher IS. The week's wool sales have closed. There was a keen, stroup. general demand and an upward tendency. All the Tetter classes .sold nt the best. I rices tom bed dorinp llm sales, Greasy son record. STi:A.All'll: OX FI UK. PERTH, Sepiemher IS. Wireless m.'ssape has been received slating the liner Xml humherland is maiup lor Freeioantb' as fast as pos--ihle. A lire is raging in Xo I hold.