AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 December 1924, Page 1

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

lUBTRALIAN AND NZ. CAULK ASSOCIATION UPITEA VAL INIWITARLE. AIELROURXE, December 27. It is understood that secret negotiations are in progress for the formation of a powerful transport workers’ group, similar to the one in Sydney and there is every likelihood that- the move will he successful. If the negotiations are completed they will greatly strengthen the hands of the seamen, and any dispute between them and the owners may mean a complete paralysis of the industry. A hig maritime upheaval early next year now seems inevitable. AIOR.K TROURLE AT I’KRTIL Rl'jU-TH, December 29. In consequence of the lumpers decision to lift the embargo on the steamer Clan Ahmroo, the Seamen’s Union, although without jurisdiction over the Clan A Ton roc, which has a black crew, arc retaliating in another direction, by issuing orders to the wincliinen on the steamers Karoola, AVoolgar, Rainhra, all of whom are members of tlio Seamen’s Union, not to supply steam to lumpers to work on these vessels. They thus arc at a standstill. 'All other intcr-Slatc vessels will also lie held up on arrival. SArALLPOX ON RUSSIAN. BRISBANE, Dee. 20. AVlien the steamer Sussex, cn route to New Zealand, reached Thursday Island. tho master reported lie landed a small pox patient at Singapore, and the vessel was quarantined. QUARRELLING WITHIN. SYDNEY, December 29. Unless the Government intervenes immediately to remove the shipping deadlock drastic action is proposed, within union circles to bring the Seamen’s Union to a reasonable frame of mind. As the first stop it is proposed to ask tho Seamen’s Union to change its delegates oil the Transport Group. The present olticers, it is stated, are fractious, intolerant and unreasonable. On account of their seorctiveiicss other units of the transport group are almost in ignorance of the Seamen's plans. If tho Labour Council refuses to intervene, it is stated a mass meeting of members of the other unions will he held to devise ways and means of forcing their demands. Tho direct result of this on the strike position is the breaking of the united front which Hie officials arc calling upon the union to present. BOATING FATALITY. FIVE DROWNED. Al KLBOUIt.XL, Dec. 29. I,nke Xagaiubie. near its junction with Ginilhourn River, was the scene of a shocking tragedy when a boat containing seven members of a picnic party capsized, five being drowned. 'I he names of the deceased are John Edward .Mitchell, his wife, Elizabeth, and his son Edward, also Gwendoline and Emily l''oiTest. A southerly breeze made, the water rather rough.

Some of the party decided to alter ilieir positions in the boat, resulting in her capsizing. Only one of the party, Ruby Ricnrds, was able to swim, and she reached the shore ami gave the alarm. AY Ill'll helpers arrived it was luniiil that the boat, whereto Aliss Duncan (the other member saved) had elinig. had drifted ashore and her tile had llnis been saved. Three liodies have been recovered. MELBOURNE. December 29. Correction :—The fifth person drowned was Charles Eorrest. . DWYER’S DEATH. FOUR. AfALTKSE ARRESTED. AfEbBOU RXE. Dec. 29. As the result of investigations by Detectives into t lie circumstances concerning the death of Janies Dwyer, aged 7(i. an inmate of the Old Colonists’ Home at the Royal Railc. who died in a police cell after being locked up for drunkenness, four Alaltese won' arrested and charged with murder. The deceased after his arrest, was placed in a cell with four of the Al.altcse, who were also charged with drunkenness. These afterwards were admil led to hail, and a couple of hours Inter Dwyer was round lying dead in (he I ell with several wounds ill the fai l', eleven ribs broken and cart ileges loin oil' the breast hone. Those arrested arc Rhillipo riclieinhri. Vinceiizn I’i.-ani, Joseph Muscat and Raul Sliha.

FAIIiARCiO I7IFTF.IX I'FRTII. IVc. 20 A nicotine of the wiitor-siilci's' !’ (loi-Mtioo rounlvort to lift tin? oinii;trij;o oil tlio Clou Mnninr. subject to oortnili c-omlit ions, which, if not kopt. will result. ill tlio roiiiiposition of llio embnioo.