AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 24 March 1925, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

IUST.UALIAN AND N.Z. GABLE ASSOCIATION CENTRE OF EARTH TREMORS. SYDNEY, .March 23. The seismograph at the Riverview College at (>. 1(5 last night recorded the first ol a scries of severe earth .tremors extending over a period of three hours. Thev are supposedly submarine disturbances in the vicinity ol Malckula Island. New Hebrides. The maximum sweep of tbe instrument, of live inches indicated the severity of the shocks. THE NE TE.UEEE BILL. SYDNEY, March 23. The special session of the State Parliament to he opened by Commission to-morrow will deal with the No lentore IJ.il t. It is understood the Opposition leader will move a censure motion. THE DEATH SENTENCE. PERTH, March 23. Frederick Morgan was found guilty on a charge ol murdering Isaah Rile', and has been sentenced to death. SYDNEY EIRE. SYDNEY, .March 23. A fire in the main business block in Baltina destroyed six shops. The damage is esti mated at thirty thousand. OBITUARY. .SYDNEY, March 21. Obituary : —William George Ashford, formerly Minister of Lands, aged 50. WAR SERVICE DISABILITIES. SYDNEY, March 24.

The report of the Royal Commission on the assessment of War Service disabilities states the Commission is ol the opinion that the present machinery im determining disability and assessing pensions is sufficient. The report makes a number of important recommendations, providing roi the more generous treatment ol disabled and invalid soldiers. A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT. KTGHT PEOPLE KILLED. MELBOURNE, March 24. Eicrht, persons weie killed when an electrics parcels coach crashed into -a motor car at a level crossing near Highett, thirteen, miles troin Melbourne. All'the occupants of the car (four men, three women ami one fluid) were killed. Thoso so far identified are: J. Macdonnell Jnr., .Miss Inn, Grace Macdonnell. Maedonnell’s wife and elnld. anil Folov. all of Sandringham. It is believed the others are Mr and Mrs Herricks. . Medical opinion is that seven of u victims were killed outright and the infant died shortly after The bodies of the adults wore shot Kiuglv nuitdated and flung about tincar,'whioh was smashed In atoms. It is stated the car. which is belie'ed to have been driven by J- Mact.eiiuell was carrying a party of ponpl from Sandringham to Cheltenham, ai d approached the crossing where thije was another car ahead ft hid <• ‘ the crossing. The unto,Lunate dm tried to act similarly, and was caugh midway by stShe coach travelling at fifty miles an hour. the erussmg > approached from a bend, and this is stated to be very dangerous, it being practically impossible to see an ap"Sfft over »!.„„« 60 yards of the railway, wink at tin crossing itself the heavy wooden gates were splintered into pieces. The police so far have been unable tr . lce a single eye witness who could give a coherent account of the oecuin’be level crossing keeper collapsed - from shock, and is unable to answer i questions.

FI'RTHER PAItTICFEARS. MF.r.BOrUNK. March -.1. The accident occurred at a lal( r of the night, and the crossing hcepei s in a. state of collapse. Full detaiU are not available. A woman wa K K near the crossing says it wns i- > dark, and suddenly there was a b £ li-mt flash from an electric *m at tin of the collision. The tram some of the victims were carried as far as the coach travelled, and the debris of the smashed car was scattered in a directions, A woman picked up an in-

j tired child, but it died Move sbe reached the gate house. Uu t tiur were en route to a party n. aid iJ Hit building fund of the kea Cad oh. ( . hu ,,.|,. The crash was he n dents in the vicinity. 1 \ > I gathered what assistance ” ami though doctors wore soon a a a m j , , V ere dead before they aim'd Residents in the locality - stal ’’ was only one light in the y.cniny ut his wa not on. Frequent complains have been made of the dai.tfe, o the crossing, and pressure avail, make it more side, but " Moorabbin station when traffic a> up ‘nmnrliing the crossing was not rung.