AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 21 August 1926, Page 3

AUSTRALI AN NEWS

Australia <fc N.Z. Cable Association.]

BRUCE’S REFE REND A

/ SYDNEY, August 20. I ke campaign in connection with .Mr Bruce’s referenda proposals is proceeding with considerable warmth. Mr Bruce to-day addressed the Chamber of Commerce and subsequently a. big meeting at the Town Hall in support of bis proposals. He claimed that the last Federal Elections gave the Government an overwhelming edict to carry them into operation. Replying to eriticisrii bo denied the aim was to smash trade unionism, shackle labour movement, or, on that on the other hand, it was the opening of tbe door to Socialism. He declared that under the restricted conditions of to-day, the Commonwealth* could make no use of Wages Boards. Round-table conferences or industrial commissions to ensure the peaceful progress of industry. or 'to eliminate the causes of disputes. Under tbe new powers, tbe position would be Entirely changed.

GOOD SHOOTING. BRISBANE, Aug. 21. At tbe annual meeting of the Rifle Association, J. Clancy and Gordon had a level score of 283 when the final stage of the King’s Prize, 900 yards, was reached. Clancy added the possible in the final and won.

PAPUAN GOLD FIELD. (Received this day at 9.0 n.m.l SYDNEY. August 21

A number of mining men from New Guinea who came to Sydney to purchase equipment, give glowing accounts of the recently discovered gold fields in Btilolo river and Edie Creek district. Papua, after a visit to the scene of operations. One declared it the richest field of recent years, and that fift-v thousand ounces of gold were stored in the fields awaiting transport. According to reports it is difficult to take a dish sample from Edie Creek, where extensive sluicing is in progress, yielding less than five pennyweights. The narrator himself saw yields of twenty ounces to the cubic yard. He added that lie thought the statement that a thousand ounces daily were being taken from Edie Creek, were quite credible. The gold was of poor quality, being worth about fifty shillings per ounce. He strongly warns intending fortuneseekers that the country is mountainous. difficult of access and Unhealthy. They must lie prepared to make a big financial outlay, and he physically fit to undertake the venture.

The Government intends to examine every man to ensure lie is financially and nhvsically fit. before it allowed him to undertake the journey from the Const.

The visitors to Sydney bring with them fine specimens of both quartz and sluiced gold in support of their statements. i TRIBE OF PIGMIES. SYTXNEY. August 21. Another arrival from New Guinea reports the discovery of a tribe of pigmies living along Banin River. Mail ang District, their height varying from 3 feet to 31 feet. They live in small grass huts in caves in dense mountainous country, are armed with small hows and arrows and are timid, hut friendly to Europeans. Their moral habits are described by Father Kirelibaiun (Professor of Ethnology) as superior to those of other natives of Papua. Each is content with one wife. THE COOMA. BRISBANE, August 21. A message from Rockhampton states as the result of salvage operations the steamer Cooma appeared to he afloat, and everything being tight an attempt to move tlie ship into deep water by her own power failed. Two tugs are now proceeding to the scene, to endeavour to tow her off the reef.