AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 December 1925, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.! .SHIPPING COLLISION INQUIRY. EYDNKY, December Hi. The Commonwealth Court of Marine inquiry has commenced hearing a charge against Captain Upward of the steamer Suva by the Director of Navigation that he was guilty of a failure of duty. The charge arose out of the collision between the steamer Suva and the collier Chillagoe. outside the Sydney Heads on Decemher Kth. Counsel for the Director said that i on the night of the collision the visibility was good. About one minute before the collision, the engines of the Suva were put full speed astern and her helm hard apart but speed was too great, and the struck the Chillagoe. The charge was based on Article Nineteen of the Navigation Rules, stating that when two steam vessels are crossing, to avoid the risk of collision, the vessel which has the other on her starboard side should keep out of the way. Captain Upward gave evidence that he saw the lights of the (liillagoe’s well inshore, and he set a course to avoid her. but she altered her course. In his opinion, the collision was due to the Chillagoe altering her course and not keeping her speed. The hearing was adjourned. N.S.W. RAILWAY^. (Received this day at 9.30 a.iu.i SYDNEY. December 17. -The Chief Railway Commissioner, sneaking u( the Millions Club, said at the end of the financial year Use capital invested in the railways and tramways in New South Wales amounted to LTII .OtlO.Bttli and in that period the services earned 820.355,(K1!1; the department spent C 13.1 13,0(1(1, leaving L‘3,271.00(1 to pay I.SS per cent on capital. This return nit capital had not been equalled by any railway in il,e wyrld operated by white labour.

AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND. MELBOURNE, December 111. Sir Neville House lias returned from New Zealand after concluding what he described a- a satisfactory arrangement regarding points outstanding between the two countries. Mr Bruce (Federal Premier) expressed satisfaction in regard to details of the arrangements, which would shortly be ratified by t lie Cabinet. ABSUKDUM SOLD. MELBOURNE. December 17. It is reported that Absorduoi lias been sold and will race in future in the country. .MURDER OF .MRS CUR REEL. HUSBAND WITNESSES TRAGEDY. MELBOURNE. December IC. The details of the murder of Mrs Curroll show the deceased's husband ■aw the whole affair and he recognised the murderer, but the police so far have not ofl’eilod an arrest. Mrs Clirrel was hit by lour bullets. Two were tiled at her husband inefl’oel ivply. Two neighbours also wijeiessed the occurrence, and they followed the man for some distance, but he escaped in the darkness. Neighbours informed the police. They noticed a man of about sixtyfive nightly loitering in the vicinity. MOTIVE A MYSTERY. MELBOURNE. Dec. 17. In connection with the murder of Mrs Currell. a warrant has been issued for Hie arrest of Henry Tncke. an importer. The motive is still a mystery. N.S.W. PARLIAMENT. SYDNEY. Dee. 17. Parliament adjourns ju.-t before Chi]:slmas. When the Council reisscinblcs in the middle of January if will, be .strengthened by the new members which I lie Goreruinent lias appointed. In the meantime the Government pro; oses to make a light o'er the eminent Bills which the Council rendered unacceptable to the Mouse. N.S.W. POLITICS. SYDNEY. Dec. 17. The State Cabinet lias decided to appoint twelve new members in the Legislative Council next month. It is freely stated in union circles that notwithstanding the Legislative Council's action in amending the Arbitral ion Bill, the unions are determined to insist, on the Government abolishing the loyalist unions, and that the unions intend to force the I loveriiiiieiit's hand.

The Legislative Council (allied the third reading of the Industrial Arbitration Amendment and the Parliamentary Electorates and Elections Amendment Hills, which were returned to the Assembly.

COLLISION ENQUIRY. (Received this day at J 0.25 a.mA SYDNEY. Dec. 17. At the enquiry into the collision between the steamer Chillagoc and Suva, counsel for Captain l pward. ui till' Suva, protested against the procedure of the Court and the action of the Directors of Navigation in charging Captain Upward. The damage to each vessel is estimated at £7(K)O. CHANGE OF NAME. BRISBANE, Dec. 17. The Opposition lias decided to change the iiamn til the parti to. Lae Country and Progressive National Parly. ARBITRATION LAWS. MELBOURNE. Dec. 17. The first of a series of informal discussions between Mr Bruce, the employers and union leaders in ail endeavour to arrive at. a basis tor the Federal Government's arbitration laws, have commenced. SYDNEY'S AMVZI.NO GROWTH. SYDNEY, Dec. 17. T)n> •Herald'’ in dealing with the astonishing growl, of Sydney during the past two decades claims that excluding the cities whose population n largely coloured, she is second null ! to I emloii for actual metropolitan poo- | „ hit ion. At ihe end of 1921 it was I 1012.070 and in the case ol Melbourne ! 825 700 but if Sydney embraced as ! she rightly should, similar metropolitan j ~,.0 . l s as does Melbourne her popilla- ' tion would bo 1.113,890.