AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 December 1925, Page 1

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.]

MURDER CHARGE. MELBOURNE, Dec. 20. The man Newman, whose arrest was cabled on December 2nd, has been committed for trial on a charge of the murder of McCormack.

PUBLIC HEALTH REFORM. SYDNEY, December 21

The report of the Federal Commission enquiry into the public health, recommends the establishment of a Federal Health Council and legislation to provide subsidies for measures approved by the Commonwealth Department of Health, which the States or local authorities are unable to finance alone. Payment of pensions to the dependents of patients suffering from infective tuberculsois while they are undergoing in treatment in sanatoria or hospitals is also recommended. CHILDREN BURNED TO DEATH. MELBOURNE, Dec. 21. Three children named Nioa, their ages ranging from ten months to four years, were burned to death at their home near Neatin, when their house was destroyed by fire. The father and mother were absent harvesting at the time. RAILWAY STRIKE SETTLED. PERTH, Doe. 21. The Midland railway strike has been settled, the men securing increased wages. AN AMAZING ENCOUNTER, PERTH, Dec. 21. The story of an amazing encounter between a constable, a black tracker, a gin. and six native prisoners tho constable was escorting, is contained in an official report received by the Commissioner of Police.

Constable Waller had six blacks chained together, and, with a gin and a tracker, was taking them to tho Fitzrov Crossing from the far northwest. While the constable dismounted to adjust one of the packs oil a horse, the natives made a. concerted attack. Walter drew a revolver and fired into the ground, hut this did not deter the natives who rushed him, throwing stones and wielding sticks. Wallers revolver jammed after the second shot and lie was forced to retreat, Walter was receiving a b: d handling when the gin and tracicar came lo his assistance. With his strength failing, the constable managed to free the revolver and shoot, one of the attackers in the stomach. Tho constable then collapsed. Tbe remainder of the natives were frightened at the fate of their companion and surrendered. They were secured and chained to a tree. The native who was shot subsequently succumbed. The tracker, gin and tho constable were badly injured, hut not dangerously.

ORIGIN OK EARTH TRE.MOIL SYDNEY. December 21. The origin of the earth tremor has been placed at sea about eighty miles north north-east'of Sydney, on what is termed the Continental shelf. PREFERENCE TO UNIONISTS ABOLISHED. PERTH, December 21. The Parliamentary session closed with the passage of the Arbitration Act Amendment Rill which included an amendment by the Legislative Council for the abolition of preference to unionists. SENATE ELECTION. ADELAIDE, December 21. A joint sitting of both houses of Parliament elected Sir Henry Barwell to the Senate in succession to Senator o'Loughlin, deceased. SOUTH AUSTRALIAN WHEAT HARVEST. ADELAIDE, Dee. 21. 11 is officially reported the South Australian wheat harvest will amount to 27.920,000 bushels as compared with df),528,025 bushels for . the previous year.

CO-OPERATIVE, MEAT WORKS BRISBANE, Dec. 21. A meeting of representatives of the various rattle breeders’ associations, convened by the Queensland Meat Advisory Board, decided to appoint a committee to examine the details of a scheme for the formation of a cooperative company to establish works and abattoirs in the various centres of Queensland. COVER NOR'S AUTHORISATION. SYDNEY. Dec. 21. The Ooverunr of New South Wales to-day siloed a. minute for the appointment of twenty-five Labour nominees for the Legislative Council. THE VOTING STRENGTH. SYDNEY, Dec. 21. The Premier. Af r Lang, speaking concerning the suggested abolition of the Legislative Council, said; “At present- there are only fifteen members of the Legislative Council upon whose votes tbe Government can rely. A\ itb these additional twenty-five appointees. the Government will then have a reliable voting strength of only forty in a house of 99. Tte gar cling; a report (cabled earlier) that there was a- movement in Lohom circles for the abolition of the office of State Governor, the Premier, Mr Lang, stated that the published reports that the Government intended to abolish the office of State Governor arc entirely without foundation.