AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 January 1926, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Australia ifc N.Z. Cable Association. 1

N.S.W. STATE .EMPLOYEES.

SYDNEY, Jan. 13.

According to the report of the Public Service Board, the complement of the Public Service has been reduced by 052 part and full time employees since 1921), despite the fact that population increased by 185,000 in the same period. At the 30th. June Inst there were 17,702 full time and 018 part time ofhcer.s and employees. The number of school teachers was considered below the requirements of the Education Department. WOOLLY APHIS ELIMINATED. PERTH, Jan. 13. The Minister of Agriculture, Mr Ergy. reports a wasp, introduced from New Zealand to combat the woolly aphis in apple orchards, is doing splendid work. In six weeks the parasite annihilated the aphis in one orchard. EXTENSIVE CAVES FOUND. ADELAIDE, January 13. The discovery has been made of extensive caves of great beauty on Kangaroo Island, where a large hill was found to be literally honey-combed. Twelve caves have already been explored, one for half n-niile, without reaching the end. The hill is of limestone formation.

The walks of the caves are coated with a beautiful glittering formation ol various colours. Bones, footprints of animals and ol birds were discovered. According to the explorer’s report they saw animals disappear in one can into which a rope was lowered. This was heavily tugged and when withdrawn was found to have been almost bitten through. DARWIN MEAT WORKS. REASON FOR CLOSING. ADELAIDE, January 12. Sir George Buchanan, who recently visited Australia in connection with harbour works, has written to a friend at Port Darwin stating Lord Yestei informed him that Darwin meat works had boon finally closed, adding tlic.i had cattle and a market and did not mind paving wages, hut tliev strongly resented the dictatorial methods adopted by their employees as to the number of men who should he employed on any particular job.