AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 4 February 1925, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

[bv TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] DE-J; EG I STR ATI ON J UDGMENT. WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF granted? MELBOURNE, February 3. Tu the Federal Arbitration Court Air Justice Powers reserved judgment in the application for the de-registration of the Seamen’s Union. During argument Mr Walsh (Federation Sec.) said that if de-registration was granted it would inevitably lead to the most bitter industrial conflict in the history of the country. KOROAIJKO HELD UP. (Received tHs day at 10.25 a.m.) ADELAIDE, February 4. Trouble has arisen on the steamer Koromiko. When at Wallaroo a fireman became ill and the remainder of the men agreed to work the vessel provided they were paid for the extra work and this was agreed to. At Adelaide another man was placed on the sick list, but the firemen intimated that they would not proceed- to sea unless extra assistance was obtained. AVith much difficulty two men were picked up, but the men refused to sail unless the new hands were paid Australian rates of pay. The demand was refused and the vessel held up. To add to the trouble the Harbour Board ordered the Koromiko to move to another berth, but the firemen refused to raise steam and the vessel had to lie warped along by the mooring lines.

A.WAV. AIF.MBERSH 1 P. AfELBOURXE, February 1. The report of the general secretary of the Australian Workers’ Union shows the membership to he T0(5,100 in all States. Branches showed an increase of members. Funds to the credit of the branches total £7(1,000, while investments have been increased to £259,870. SURPLUS NOT REAL. AIELBOURXE, February 1. A statement issued by the Commonwealth Treasury allows an apparent surplus for the half year’s transactions to be £1,181,190. Tho total revenue was £30,530,075 and expenditure £20.010,179. The expenditure. however, does not include tho loan interest payments which exceed live million. The surplus, therefore, is not real.

The accumulated credit on 31st December was £9.10(5,012 and loans amounting to throe millions were redeemed during the half year. NEW METHODIST SECRETARY. (Received this day at 12 30 p.m.) SYDNEY, February 4. The Reverend J. AY. Burton, formerIv of New Zealand, has been elected general' secretary ol the .Methodist \\lissionary Society ol Australia, succeeding the Rev. J. G. Wlieen. retired. DANGER OF ELECTRIC WIRES. SYDNEY. February !. During a lire in ('anterbury a jet of water from a hose came into contact with an electric power wire. The current running to earth through the water passed along the hose and several firemen and civilians were Hung to the ground by the force of the current, three receiving injuries requiring medical attention.

A TERRIFIC FIGHT. DA RAY IN, February 3. ’File racehorse Comet, having dtunk water in the Katherine river was seized by the nose by a large alligator. A terrible struggle followed. The horse was dragged completely under, but 10peatedlv rose with the alligator hanging on with a bull-dog grip. The uatci was washed into a bloody loam for many yards round. The horse in his struggles used its forefeet with terrible effect, tearing great lumps of skin and flesh out of the alligator’s iorequarters. Finally the horse was dragged under and drowned.

REFUSED TO BE LIONISED. HOBART. February I

There is considerable comment over the English cricketers declining to he socially" lionised. Three public lunctions were arranged in their favour, including a cricketers hall, none of Which they attended. The reason is quit stated.