AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 April 1926, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.} N.S.W. HOURS BATTLE. SYDNEY, April 27. Tile metals Trades Employers’ Association discussed the decision of certain Unions working under Federal awards not to work more than fortyfour hours weekly, despite the recent 1 High Court ruling. The meeting resolved that, as employers were bound to conform to the conditions of the Federal award, such conditions must also bo observed by tbe men and any man refusing would be notified that bis services were no longer required. The enforcement, of this decision will mean the first blow in what promises to lie a big light. N.S.W. COAL TROUBLE. SYDNEY, April 27. 'lhe compulsory conference of the colliery workers, miners and mining engineers’ representatives, called by the Chairman of the Coal Tribunal to discuss the threatened strike, (aided cn the 7th and 81 li April, met to-day in camera, and discussed the position for several hours, without, reaching a decision, and adjourned till to-morrow.

STOCK EXCHANGE OBJECTION. -MELBOURNE, April 28. An objection lias been taken by members of the Melbourne Stock Exchange to a statement in tbe annual report of tbe B.A.W.R.A. that shareholders should consider the suggestion to vote £509,000 for settlement and research purposes. The committee of the exchange instructed its Chairman to state that when members had been asked for advice by clients, they had been careful to warn them that the distributable funds might be reduced, in the event of adverse judgment in the impending litigation and delay in the distribution' of the funds and other contingencies which were reasonably possible for vendor and investor to forsee were considered, but they could not possibly have foreseen a course of action which would, in many instances eliminate a large portion of the margin of profit on the possibility of which shares were brought in good faith by clients. POISON MYSTERY. ■ADELAIDE, April 27. A mysterious laflair is reported at Coonaipyn. A man, J. Brown, called at the home of a friend, C. George, and suggested that a. party consisting of George, his family, and two visi-

ters have a drink. He filled the glasses from a bottle of beer and cordial

Inch lie produced. Brown, George

and the latter’s wife drank the beer with no ill effects. George’s son, Allred. drank the cordial, and died of convulsion*. Shortly, afterwards two itlior sons and a youth named Sinlair. who tasted it, became ill. hut

recovered. George’s daughter, Florric, did not touch either, and was not affected.

Brown sent a telephone message to a doctor, and then remained away till next morning. He returned and forced an entrance to George's home. Be then lay on a bed and fatally shot himself. It is stated Uv.it Brown lias been infatuated with Finnic George, who has shown a preference for Sinclair.

FLIGHT POSTPONED. .MELBOURNE, April 27. Civil aviation authorities’have been informed that Cobham’s flight from England to Australia has been further postponed till the end of May. WOOL SALES. SYDNEY. April 28. The wool sales have opened. Merinos and fine crossbreds were slightly dearer and coarse crossbreds rather cheaper.