AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 March 1926, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Australian A N.Z. Cable Association/ A SURGERY MURDER. BRISBANE. March 21. The police at Maryie’ fine received word that a tragedy had oc urred at the surgery of R. Turner. a well-known dentist. On their arrival they were compelled to force the door. They found Turner attempting to commit suicide with a revolver. The police prevented him from shooting himself and then they discovered the body of a. woman. Mrs Lovedav, aged 31 years on a couch. Turner was arresfe'd, and was charged with murder. The police theory is that Mrs Loveday was first chloroformed, and was then given cyanide of potassium. AUSTRALIAN SEAMEN SYDNEY. March 21. The Sydney branch of tile Seamen’s Union has decided to oppose the application of .Mr Tom Walsh, for the deregistration of flic Australian Seamen’s Union under the Arbitration Court.

SEAMEN’S UNION FUND. SYDNEY. Marc-h 22

The feud between the Sydney and Melbourne branches of lhe Federated Seamen’s Union is being waged with great bitterness. "lhe officials of tln- Sydney branch are in open uevoit against the action of the Federal officers in applying for re-registration.

Johnson. the assistant New South Males Branch Secretary, has gone to Melbourne for the purpose of combating the move.

VITAL STATISTICS. -MELBOURNE, Alarrh 22

Vital statistics for 1925 show the I ictoriau death rate for the year was tho lowest on record, being nine decimal forty-seven per thousand of population against 10.05 thousand for the previous year. The birth rijte was also lower than 1921. being 21.19 per thousand against 22.01.

FEDERAL SHIITING HOARD. MEI.BOT'KNE, .March 22. In the House of Rep resell till ives. in reply to a question regarding the Commonwealth shipping line. Air Brine stated the chairman of the Shipping Board received a salary of C'3,500 per annum, two other directors £3OOO each and 159 officers of the hoard received £57,797. Mr Bruce said it was not possible for the Government to undertake an investigation of the position in regard to overhead charges with a view to putting the line on a paying basis, as control of the line was vested in l.h<> Commonwealth Shipping Board, which was entirely responsible for the administration of the line, which comprises sixteen vessels.

DENGUE FEVER, SYDNEY, March 22.

Dengue fever is still raging in the northern part of the State. Over a thousand cases occurred at lamworth, where business is dislocated.

CALLED TO ACCOUNT. SYDNEY. .March 22

'When Kelly. Akhurst. Lyons, Smith and Alurray. all Legislative Councillors were called before the Australian Labour Party to show cause why they should not' be expelled lor being absent from the Council, when the abolition vote was taken, Kelly and Akhurst explained that they were unavoidably absent. The other three said they were not prepared to vote for abolition in its present form. A motion to expel these three was defeated and the eases of the live were left for the Australian Labour party conference to deal with.

N.S'.AV. LOAN. SYDNEY, .March 22. Air Lang has received advice that a four million sterling loan lor New South Wales, issued at ninety-eight and bearing live per cent interest was raised at London. Referring to the flotation, Air Lang said he had placed the loan at such a price that it. must he regarded as satisfactory. It was an indication that London underwriters realised there was nothing to ■fit, ar as to the financial stability ol New South Wales, under a Labour G'-o.vernmerit. “There is.” said Mr Laim, “one cause for regret in which woircliy citizens join. That is, that during the negotiations it was manilesi political propaganda that was conveyed to London apparently tor party [imposes made the placing for Hie loan more difficult than it would otherwise have been, and possibly prevented even better terms being obtained.”

AX APOLOGY. SYDNEY, March 22. Air J. Ley, member of the Federal Parliament Ims received an apology from F. A. McDonald, bis opponent at the recent federal elections in which .McDonald stated he unreservedly withdrew alt charges made against Ley durum the campaign or previously and expressed regret that any injustice such charges may have caused.. In view of the. cnmmunieasion Mr Lev doet not intend to proceed with, his legal action cabled on 13th November claiming fifteen thousand sterling damages for alleged slander. PROHIBITION' OF EXPORT. SYDNEY, March 22. The Department ot Agriculture has received a cablegram from the Administrator of Norfolk Island, stating the. exportation of apples and pears to that territory is prohibited The department has cabled Norfolk asking particulars of the reasons lor the piohibition.