AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 March 1926, Page 1

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Australia Jk N.Z. Cable Association.] AN M.L.C. KILLED. SYDNEY, March 22. Obituary.—William Robert Fitzsimmons, a Nationalist member of the Legislative Assembly, who died as the result o! being knocked down by a motor ear in the city. He was aged 51. it I'NNY-MEDF I X.J UR ED. SYDNEY, March 22. When the New Zealand horse Runnymode pulled up after the. Railway Handicap at the Rosehill meeting lie was lame. A veterinary surgeon expressed the opinion that he had jarred his foot and shoulder during a gallop. N.Z. UNMUSICAL. A DAME’S LAMENT.

SYDNEY, March 22

Dame Clara Butt, on her return from New Zealand, said, musically, Now Zealand cannot he compared with Australia. “It is a sad hut certain fact,” she continued, “ music has developed very little in New Zealand for many years. I cannot offer any reason why this .should he so, unless it is that people are conservative and slow to change methods, or, that they lack the means of training which Australia enjoys in its Conservatoriums. The voices are undoubtedly there, hut they are not developed and the beauty is lost.” A NEW .M.L.C. FOR N.S.W. SYDNEY, March 22. -Mr .1. .11. Shand, a Nationalist automatically (under the electoral law), succeeds Mr Fitzsimmons in the Cumberland seat in the New South Wales Assembly, owing to the death of the latter as the result of a motor accident, lie being knocked down bv a car in the city, death ensuing. N.S.W. DROUGHT BROKEN. SYDNEY, March 22. Further heavy rain fell at Broken Hill and totally averted a water famine. All the reservoirs are now full. (.Similar reports have Iteeti received from other drought stricken areas. AUSTRALIAN SEAM EX. SYDNEY, -March 2:3. Tire Sydney branch of the Seamen's Union decided to take a plebiscite of members as to whether to participate in Tom Walsh’s, registration application. (lOASTA L CON FERIONCE. SYDNEY, March 22. The Disputes Committee of the Trades Hall conferred with the coastal shipowners in an endeavour to arrive at a settlement of the coastal shipping strike, 'file conference was adjourned until to-morrow, without arriving at a basis for a. setlement.

The Seamen’s Union was not repre sen ted at the conference.

CONTROL OF NAURU. MELBOURNE. March 2:3

In the House of Representatives, replying to Mr Hughes. Mr Bruce said it was true tlial the Nauru Phosphates Commission, on which Great Britain. Xew Zealand and Australia were represented, had resolved that the head oflico of the Commission .should he removed to New Zealand. "When the decision was made known the Ministry had communicated with the two other Government;; and had questioned the power of the Commission to make majority decisions. The Ministry appree. lilted the importance of the proposed transfer and was doing everything possible to prevent, it. N.S.W. WOOL SALE. SYDNEY. March 2d. At to-day’s wool sales there was a keen demand. Super wools were tineltnnged. hut all oilier sorts, including good and broken skirting, ruled in the growers’ favour. There was exciting competition for comebacks, and crossbreds continued at good rates. Greasy merino sold to 28<l per lb. Heavy rain continues in the far soulli and western districts and flood warnings have been issued. Terrific rainfalls have also been experienced in Victoria during the past 21 hours.