AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 24 June 1926, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

[Australia & N.Z, Cable Association.! CAULFIELD RAILWAY SMASH. AIEL.RO [JUNE, Juno 27. At the Caulfield railway accident inquest, a witness gave evidence that he saw the whole accident from the platform. He said that the Oakleigh train’s speed . was about seventeen miles an hour, and when the brakes were applied, they reduced tho speed by half. The noise of the brakes was greater than that of the actual crash, yet they seemed to he taking little effect on the train wheels, which appeared locked. The train seemed to skid into tho Carrum. train. The visibility was clear, hut the ground was wet. Further evidence, showed that when the signals were tested after the accident, they operated satisfactorily. NEW RAILWAY. (Received this day at il.O a.m.) SYDNEY, June. 21. The first sod of the Kyogle to South Brisbane railway lias been turned. The line forms a new iron link between New South Wales and Queensland, and affords an outlet for tho produce of a large reach of auricultural area, previously not served, on the North Coast districts of New South Wales. It also constitutes the first definite action in the direction of unification of railway "gauges of the Commonwealth. TRADK MATTERS. MELBOURNE, .Tunc 24. Til the House of Representatives, discussing the Supply Bill, Mr Rodgers said the Ministry appeared to be neglecting a promising market for Australian dried fruits in New Zealand. Mr Prntten replied that the matter of a market for Australian fruit and dried fruit in New Zealand, was receiving the Government’s consideration. Hi? hoped at an early date that the representatives of the two countries would meet with a view to enlarging tho’intending reciprocal treaty at- present existing between them.

STREET SINGER. ON THRESHOLD OF FAME. SYDNEY, June 17. For u lortg time passers-by in Sydney’s crowded streets have been attracted by the remarkable singing‘of an itinerant canvasser, a partially blind youth, and an orphan, who can neither read nor write to any extent, and whose haunts have been the shadows of the recesses of shop doors. Ft looks now as though he stands a fair chance of sealing the Olympian heights. A lending music teacher heard him in the street, brought him under the notice of other critics, who were equally impressed with his beautiful, although entirely uncultured voice, and to his amazement he found himself a few nights ago, in one of the leading broadcasting studios, singing before a a vast unseen audience, snatches of operatic airs, with the same facility that he sang one or two English melodies, and afterwards made a Muttering speech over the wireless. The question now is Whether, with the assistance which has been promised iiim, lie can concentrate on studies which will enable him to cultivate what is regarded in good quarters as a most promising voice. He has fostered his love of good music by saving up for the best records, and playing them on a borrowed gramophone, in a lodging house, in which he sorrowfully confesses he is not in the right enviionnvent. The fact that, he brings home classic records running up to 10s and 12s is regarded by his fellow lodgers as a species of lunacy. The story is also told of how he manages to gratify his musical tastes by attending, by book or by crook, the best concerts. He has now been given a chance. It remains to be seen whether he can grasp it.