AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 April 1926, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.] QUEENS! IA.ND FLECTION??. BRISBANE, April S. The first shot in tlio State election eani]iiign was fired af Toowoomba, when Air Moore. 'Loader of the Country and the National Progressive Party delivered a policy speech. Air Aloore said the people of Queensland suffered a humiliating experience during tbo recent railway strike. As the authorities did not lift a linger to uphold the laws of tho Swite, tho lacbreakers wore encouraged, and so intolerable did the state of affairs beeonio that citizens were compelled 1 protect their own rights. Tho whole affair wax a travesty on constitutional government, under which Queensland suffered for the past ten years. The elections will lie bold on May Bth. GUILTY of .MANSLAUGHTER. SYDNEY. April 9. Rruee Havelock Strong, who shot Ids father, following on a family quarrel in .March, and who was charged with murder, was found, guilty of manslaughter and remanded for sentence. THE ILL-FATED FAPAFtOA. DETAILS OF SINKING. SYDNEY. Ala roll 9. <Sout.li African newspapers containing details of the sinking of Hie steamer Rapai'oa arrived here by the Devon, which was about. -I(JO miles behind the Pnparoa when tin* mishap occurred. Ono of the crew of the Papa run, in a lengthy statement says that in order' to investigate the seat of the lire tin* chief officer and the chief engineer descended one of the holds, but they quickly returned gasping for breath. All the lire appliances were brought into use. but shortly after tin* interior of the hold became a. mass of flames, terrific boat, being generated.

"Water from the hoses had no effect on the fire, which burst through tho deck and subsequently spread to the bridge, which burned like matchwood. Tin* ship listed badly and water poured Into the stokehold. The- fires were kept going with the greatest difficulty, especially when the blinkers caught alight. The ship’s company were Cheered by tin* news that the Bn era bool was only L!0 miles away anil a mighty cheer went up when she appeared. Even then hope of getting tin* vessel to port was not abandoned. An effort was made to got the water out of the hold, which added to the difficulties of tin* men in the stokehold and the fumes I'rom the. burning ammonia pipes bad to be con tended with also. Finally the effort had to lio given up and the firemen were withdrawn. When the Barra bool left the .scene the hull of the Pnparoa. was still burning, but the warship Birmingham was then in attendance. LIVE STOCK FIGURES. SYDNEY. April 9. Official agriculture and live stock statistics of New South Wales for the year ended .‘Kith Juno last show -1,9 t I. JS.T acres were under crop. In practically every instance production exceeded tin* average yield of the past five vein's. Sheep and lambs numbered ■12.925.117, cattle 2.876.25.1. horses 617.508. Sheep increased by 5,88(5,000 and horses and cuttle both show a slight decrease. LORD KTRABROOK E. SYDNEY. April 9. Lord SI radbrooko, who has just completed his term as Governor ol \ ietoriu, sails by tho Aorangi to-day. He spends sonic time in a visit to the Slates k'l'ore returning to England. PRODUCE PRICES. .MELBOURNE. April 9. Wheat—firm, parcels th 2.U1. Oats- Milling 8, 1091. Iced 8-: Id. its lid. Barley—English to Is (id, Cape its -M. 4s. Potatoes —£13, £M. Onions—£l9, £2O.