AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 January 1925, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[BV TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] SYDNEY TRAIN SMASH. TWENTY SERIOUSLY INJURED. (Received this day at S a.m.) SYDNEY, January J 5. A most, serious accident at the Central R,..iwii,v Station occurred to-night when an outward bound train loaded to its utmost capacity with passengers was run into by an inward bound train and literally cut in halves. Eight carriages were smashed and one carriage of the inward train was telescoped. The expereini e.s of the passengers were appalling. When the crash, which was. terrific, was heard a gang of workmen on tho line rushed to the. assistance of the shrieking passengers, many of whom were seriously injured. Great (filfieulty was experienced in releasing the passengers from the wreckage. Latest reports state that twenty are seriously injured, who were sent to the hospital. Many others who were slightly hurt were sent home after receiving treatment. SYDNEV Jan. 15. One was an empty carriage train rdturning from Aslffield. other had left Sydney for Ryde and had travelled indy three or four lengths from the Central Station when the collision occurred. Sixteen people were removed to the hospital, hut only one, Harold Richards, of Burwood. who suffered a compound fracture of Imth legs, is in a critical condition. An official statement, issued by the Secretary of the Railways, savs» the mishap was apparently due to the disregard of the signalling appliances which are of the most modern type in the world.

SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIP. SYDNEY, January 11. Kahamunoku won the 220 yards swimming championship of Australia from Muss Christie, by one and a half yards in 2.27 3-5. FLOODS IN AUSTRALIA. (Received this day at 11.25 a.m.) SYDNEY, Jan. 15. Reports from numerous country centres record exceptionally heavy rain. At A 1 bury (,?.() points fell in 40 hours, much of the town being under water. In one storm of lorty minutes two inches fell. Trains are running irregularly owing to the lines being covered. Exceptional Hoods in the Lower .Murray arc inevitable as the rivers and creeks are rising rapidly. One bridge has been washed away. Some crops where stripping has just been commenced will ho ufieclcd. Damage to the roads will he extensive. A cloud hurst at Tureuttn. near Wagga where J.tin. nl rain 101 l in null an hour. WALSH ARRESTED. PERTH. Jan. 15. Tom "Walsh, the General President of tile Australian Seamen's ("moil. was arrested at Fremantle, on a warrani from Melbourne, on a charge of having incited the members of tin* Waterside Workers’ Federation to strike. M also was admitted to bad.