AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 February 1926, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Australia & N.Z. Cable Association. 1 . WHOLE DISTRICT BLAZING. SYDNEY. Feb. 2. Basil fires are now raging over the whole of the southern districts front Albert to Canberra. They already have swept two hundred thousand acres of forest and pastures. A large number of fire fighters are out in all directions, but their efforts are futile. The flames are rushing on before a high westerly wind. SYDNEY. Feb. 1. Bush fires are .still raging over a great area around Albury and Ounda-

After a night of heavy showers tho weather broke fin.? Ibis morning foilin' schools’ excursion to Grey mouth. Two trains were despatched and there was si very large number w:lio took advantage of the outing to Victoria Park. Greymoutli The trains reach lucre at 7.U5 and 7.30 p.m.

MOTOR CYCLING. SYDNEY, February 27. At the motor cycle tests at Afarnitbra speedway. Spencer Stratton (New Zealand) rode second to Brown in the Maroubra Gold Helmet event, a ten miles dash. The winner averaged 01 miles an hour, the fastest lap being doin' at Hie rate of ninety-seven. W. E. C. REID RETURNING. SYDNEY, February 3. AY. E. C. Reid, of the New Zealand' Pavilion at Wembley is a passenger by the Cathay. REDHEAD MINE EXPLOSION. (Received this day nt, .10.20 n.m.i SYDNEY, February .7. Inspectors who visited the Redhead colliery after the explosion report that they found no inflammable gas. I hey are of the opinion the deputies responsible for tile examination ol the waste workings in the top seam wore neglectful in their duties as no dates could bo foil ml to establish their having exuiiiiied them. The Inspectors recommend that all naked lights be withdrawn from the mine. Immigration for 1925 totalled 38.030. a decrease of (>,()()() on the previous year. Nearly (5,01)0 Italians arrived, which is an increase of 1.000. There was a notable falling off in file numbers of Greek and Maltese settlers.

IDENTIFIED. .MELBOURNE. February 3. The victim of the Devil’s Elbow motor smash has now been identified as Henry Lawson, of Collingwood, not Roberts. The latter was severely inj u red. N.S.W. POLITICS. .Received this day at 11.0 a.m.) SYDNEY, Fob. 3. It was learnt in the Parliamentary lobbies tin l Government has received bv cable, the Royal assent to the Bill amending the constitution making women eligible to sit in tic' Legislative Council.

It is understood the Governor is to 1 e asked to make additional appointments to the Legislative Council during the course of the next session, '•ommencing Tuesday. In Labour oir- ■ les the number suggested is ten including women members. The Opposition are confident His Excellency will

not consent to the appointments

N.S.W. INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES ’SYDNEY. Feb. 3

Application has been made in the Industrial Arbitration Court on behalf of the Australian Workers’ Union, for a variation of the award governing labourers in the Rail" a v Department, in regard to tlm 111-hours week. ’I lie application was opposed on behalf of the Commissioners and the Alastor Conl raetors’ Association.

Judge Beebv said that owing to the ureal public importance of the matter it would liave to stand over for tho present.

MO RTS dock struck. (Received tliis clay at 11.0 a.m.) SYDNEY. Fob. 3. The Conciliation Commissioner has convened a compulsory conference recard in <: the strike at Molts Dock, for to-morrow. Trade Knioii circles hold the demand of the men to he regarded as temporary employees instead of permanent. as provided by the award, cannot he supported, especially as it would mean an increase of unemployment which is at present assuming alarming proportions. RAIN THE ONbY HOPE. SYDNEY. Feh. 3. The Senior Forestry Officer at Turn u t considers there is no hope of combating the hush fires until rain falls as they have such a firm hold upon the forest country. There has been considerable destruction of valuable timber between Tutnbnrunibn and Ttimut. A rSTR AUAX POPULATION 7 SIX MILLION. MELBOURNE, Feb. 3. The Commonwealth Statistician announces the population of the Commonwealth has reached the six million mark. The sixth niiTllon was reached in eight years as compared with thirteen years for the filth million, but in his opinion the war caused the difference.