AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 August 1925, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

UJBIBALIAN AND N.Z. CIAHLi ASSOCIATION. ATTEAIPT TO POISON KA.MIL7. SYDNEY, August I. All iinsuccc.-sl ul atlcinpl was made to poison a family named Gray, consisting of the father, mother and an adult son and daughter, near Goillbourn. The family were about to commence a meal when they heard groans in the yard. They found an employee, Richard Luke, suffering from strychnine poisoning, lie died. Ihe lamilv feller commenced their meal. 'I hey noticed the tea was hitter, and they did not drink it. Examination revealed a quantity of strychnine in the kettle and the hot water urn.

COMMITTED FOR TRIAL. SYDNEY. August I

Alfred Rrenchley was committed for trial on a charge ol inflicting grievous bodily harm on Mrs and Miss (ole cabled .July 10). The evidence showed that Rrenchley and Mrs Cole’s sons quarrelled and later Rrenchley visited tile Cole's home and Mrs Cole alleged tlmt he. attacked her and her daughter.

GERMAN PIANOS. A! EI,BOURNE. August 4

Giving o vide rice in support ot an application from the Tariff Hoard for a heavy increase on foreign pianos, the representatives of the Associated Chambers of Manufacturers stated that since ’the embargo was lilted in 1022. German pianos imported into Australia increased from zero to -HA per cent, of the total sales, and unless adequate protection were given, the Australian piano-makers’ industry was doomed.

SYDNEY POISONING TRAGEDY. (Received this day at 10.25 a.m.) SYDNEY. August 5. Richard Luke was engaged as a labourer on Gray’s farm and he bad performed bis duties as usual during the day. but just before tea time Gray junior, beard shouting and hurried to the shed where he found Luke stretched out on a bag of wheat. Asked "bat was wrong. Luke replied that be had heard lie could poison opossums with strvelmine wheat so he tried tho grain. Gray gave Luke an emetic, but. he died before the arrival of a doctor. A calf and cut were also found dead. A NATIVE Raid. PKRTI.H. August 5. \ missioncr at the Torrest River mission station reports that large parties of natives entered the mission reserve and killed many cattle. Tho chief offenders were arrested. The trouble arose owing to the declaration of native reserve ground for the mission and the report that the missioncr bad lett the district. SMUGGLER ARRESTED. SYDNEY. August 5. The Customs made a sensational coup, seizing ten thousand' sterling worth of allegedly smuggled diamond jewellery, and arresting a man described as a jewel merchant. COST OF FOOD. SYDNEY, August 5. Official figures show the retail prices o* moat in Sydney in duly last wcie 44v per cent higher than in July 10-’-L and other food and groceries were 60] per cent, higher compared with July 1924. Meat was four per cent, and other food and groceries 5] per cent dearer.