AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 January 1925, Page 1

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[BY TELKGRAVH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] RE CARTS' DISA I’PKARAXC'E. AY BIT ACATNST AYIFF. SYDNEY. Jan. 12. Police headquarters have now no doubt that the man aboard the Idahoan is Do-Claris. ft is thought lie arrived in Sydney disguised a.s a woman. Additional writs have been issued hv the Bank of New South AYales, one being against Airs do Claris lot £9355 sterling. I)E CABIS IDENTIFIED. SYDNEY, Jan. 11. T he latest wireless from the A tube no states the passenger Leslie, fitted with the description of the mysterious Air Young and resembled Do Can's. ASSAULT ON POLICE. MELBOURNE, January 12. William McKay, master of (he ketch Dauntless, and three members of the crew, named Forty. Alaipinrd and Honey, were committed for trial on charges of unlawfully assaulting Water Bailiff Challenger, and Constable Blair, with intent to resist arrest, in connection with the story of their arrest (cabled December 21). Challenger gave evidence That when lie hoarded the ketch and explained his mission to Ale Kay, tile latter shouted to Hie crew to get the vessel under way, adding: “Wo will take the pair of the out to sen and make crayfish bait of them.” A light, previously cabled, followed, witness adding that McKay afterwards tried to “ square ” him by offering £SO and information where oilier suspicious fishermen wore working. BRIDGE BUILDING. BOOM IN SYDNEY. SYDNEY. December 31. The bridges in and about Sydney that have been so long talked of, and so long delayed as to put a good Christian, democratic community into a state of almost anarchical rebellion, an gradually becoming accomplished facts. The old punt which lias gone backwards and forwards at the -Spit, at .Middle Harbour, since 1350, and which has had poured upon it the maledictions of motorists and the commercial community because of the endless delays (hat it involved, has at last been supplanied by a bridge, for which there has been a continuous agitation since about 1380. Tbe new Spit Bridge is generally acelaitned as one of the ugliest bridges in the world : but of its utility in providing direct communication between the northern side of Sydney harbour and Manly and the vast surrounding districts, there is no question. The cost of its constitution is being borne by the Manly Council, hut as toll charges are being imposed there will he no burden on the ratepayers generally. It is to' he paid for in 20 years, after which it will he a free bridge and will he handed over to the Government. The construction of the picturesque Roseville Bridge in Middle Harbour, tmikiug the coast more readily accessible l.i the far northern suburbs, is another notable achievement. Contracts have also been let lor the mitehnoeded bridge across George’s River, where, for many long years, punts have delayed for endless hours at times eomumiiieat ion by road with Ibe Smith Coast. I lore .again toll charges will pay fill the hridge übilh will !’•■ *»t me ■

MVf. :< JTI I l.M'llill.t' ] il<! I H>l' I ions. Ivil’lv 111 the Now Year ;i !>i*j; step forward will ho made in tin* preliminary work for tin* creel inn of tlic giant Sydney Harbour Bridge. Incidentally, one of tin* oversea tenderers lor the bridge has hurled a writ at the Government, hut the Ministers do not seem to he at all perturbed about it. The development of industry, increase ul population, the amazing growth ol the metropolis, and the demands of motor and other vehicular trallic threatens gradually to make of Sydney a city of bridges. FF.ATIIKiiKI) BLAGUE. SYDNEY'S FLOCK*-; OF PFOKOXS. SYDNEY. December 31. The operation early in the year ol llu* powers recently granted to the city health authorities, under which limy r;in insist upon jn nprri v-owirts or lessees keeping tin* facades of their buildings clean, will inevitably mean a big raid upon Sidney's homeless pigeons, whose favourite haunts are the O.l’.tL, the big f.'mvii Victoria buildings in (teorge St! eel, the Arl Gallery, and other prominent structures. Sydnov so far lias not worried unmh ahold the great flocks ol pigeons which find sanctuary in its hast and biggest buildings, and which in their Mights give a picturesque tench to old .Marlin place and other spots, but, like London, ii is now finding them something cl an unhealthy plague, and is now about to declare war upon them. Ihe pigeons not only dirty the facades ami block up spoutings and gutters, but they have introduced vermin into a number of buildings, and it is more than probable that the Government "ill be asked to pass legislation compelling- the Council to keep all pigeons out of the. city, lint in what manner are pigeons to be suinmarilv expelled h Lllorts to trap the birds and even to old troento them have tailed: poisoned wheat has also failed. On,- can picture organised pigeon drives bv the ( ouneil in euiieerl witn outraged property owners. It looks to he a good opportunity for those with a gastronomic nicety for pigeon pie. No one owns Sydney's pigeons. All anyone who wants them lias to do is to go out and catch or kill them if he can. AX ADKLAIDK SCHEME. LABOUR'S HOTSrXCi POLICY. SYDNEY. December 31. One of the earliest decisions ol the Labour Government that recently came into power in South Australia was to adopt a scheme—the first on such a hold scale in Australia—for massed house production in order to relieve the housing shortage in Adelaide. The first step was the simultaneous erection of 1000 houses, and a contract which will enable those to he tenanted at comparatively low rental was soon let. The houses are now nearing completion, and an independent inspection of thorn evoked some high praise, in regard to designs, the accommodation, and the workmanship. The group which was inspected Comprised 700 bouses in the suburban area known as Colonel Light Gardens and Colonel Light Gardens East. The scene is one of bustling but orderly activity Over 730 men are directly employed on the works, among them being 150 brick-layers, 35 ironworkers, 10 plasterers. 30 carpenters Con roofs), 30 plamtcrV *25 ceiling fixers, and 30 carpenters on second fixings. In addition, indirectly 2600 men are employed, including those on carting" sand-getting, brickmaking, joinery working, and other

kindred trades. The only shortage ol labor..- experienced was that of bricklasers. Every inducement was given to men to join up by otToring 235: a day, and. so the whole ol the available spare labour in South Australia was seen red. Arrangements have been lain lit er' 13!) bri< l-.l:i\ei ■ from Melbourne under cottdil ions which will safeguard their return when the work is completed. The present, rate id pro-MJ-C -- is 2t> I ullages weekly, but each dav sees the gangs more expert and the organisation more pm loot. and these features and the extra labour V.lii, h will be available will, it is anticipated. increase the out put i“ 35 or Id emh week. That rate of progress will leave a sale' margin on the contract time. Already It) of the cottages have been completed, and tenants will he in occupation very early in the new yea r. It has been found necessary to open a supplement ary brickworks in order to overtake the demand. A certain amount of variety ol colour is being introduced by varying the amount and position of roughcasting on the various designs. Thus, though there are only 1 I designs, each one of these are only reversed and further altered in sundry miner details. ATT the frontages are -In.• ere-i 1 and there is no monotony of design. All the work is standardised overt to the sfiacing of the verandah pier-, every one of which is located By a special man. The joinery is of a good class, frames being of deni and .-thcr work mainly red pine. The "'indows are generously planned, even the pantry window being lnrg- and conveniently situ:'...ed.