AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 September 1926, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.] COBHAM’S RETURN. DARWIN, Sept,. 5. Cobluni left hero on Saturday morninf on lii.s return (light to England. WELT FAT! EDEN, Sept. I. Captain Cobliam. who hopped off from Darwin on Saturday morning, has arrived at Ivoepang. REFERENDA RETURNS. SYDNEY, Sept. 5. The weather was fine yesterday foil the referendum. The polling was heavy. On the figures received up to a late hour hist (Saturday) night, which, however, form only a small quota of the total vote, both of Mr Bruce’s proposed alterations to the Federal Constitution appear to he doomed to defeat. except in New South Wales whc#e there is a small majority fnr..“Yes.” All the other States favour “No.”

In order t<> carry the proposals, it is necessary to obtain consent to ljotli by a. majority of the people of Australia and by a majority in each of the States.

REFERENDA FIGURES. SPDNEY, September 6

The referendum count was continued to-day. The official figures supplied tonight. though far from complete, mainly indicate the electorate is opposed to the proposed alterations in the Constitution. In New South Wales “Yes” still holds a slight majority on the firs! question. “ Noes ” are well ahead on the second qcustion. In every other State the Noes have a heavier and increasing majority. SYDNEY, September (i. What has been manifest from other referenda polls, that popular opinion is extremely slow to sanction amendments to the Constitution and those so far have been adopted have been trilling and all those which, have been submitted as necessities have been uncere moniously thrown aside. SYDNEY, Sept. G. The figures of the referendum vote for the Commonwealth show the present position to be that on the question of industries and commerce. 1,367,138 Voted no, and 999,730 voted yes. On the question o£ essential servees 1,348,299 voted no, and 950,633 voted yes. PROA DC ’A,STING SUCCESS. SYDNEY, September 6. What is claimed as a broadcasting record was established yesterday iroil' an aeroplane Hying ten thousand fee' over Sydney. Conversation and song; were clearly heard by the listeners in. A special acroline was suspended from the plane and a special amplifier al the broadcasting station made success possible. AIRMAN KILLED. MELBOURNE, September 0. A service aeroplane proceeding from Pqint Cook, crashed near Geelong. The pilot Sergt. Wells, the only person aboard, was killed.

CYCLE RACE. (MELBOURNE. Sept. G. A. W. Lamb, competing in the amateur cycle forty mile race from Geelong to Melbourne, made the, fastest time of lhr. 26min. 23see., a record for the distance. M. .Tones with 113 min. start won the event in lhr. 32inin. 4Gsec. A HORSE DESTROYED. ADELAIDE, Sept. 0. The racehorse Haoma, winner of the Adelaide Grand National Steeplechase on Thursday fell in the Morphettville Steeplechase mid had to be destroyed. SUVA ELECTION. SUVA, Sept. 6. The Legislative Council election resulted: Sir Maynard Hedstrom (Eastern Division), Major Willoughby, lottenliam, Vaniuleon. Tavenni, Pereira 1 land W. Faddy (Western) and Hugh Allragg (Northern). POTATO IMPORTS. SYDNEY, Sent. 6. The potato growers of the New England District, New South Wales, arc greatly concerned at the alleged danger which the importation of New Zealand potatoes represents to this State. According to the “Herald” it is claimed that in view of the fact that the

climatic conditions in New England and New Zealand rre almost identical, diseases to which tubers grown in the South Island are subject will he introduced and flourish here. A large meeting of growers is being convened to protest ngainst the admittance of Now Zealand potatoes. DOMESTIC TROUBLE. BRISBANE,. Sept. 0. As a result of domestic trouble at Bundaberg, George Fontaine, a farmer. aged twenty-six, shot bis wife, two daughters nnd father-in-law, H. Grahamo and a friend ,T. Christensen going to tlieir assistance was also shot. Fontaine then walked up the main street displaying a revolver and was arrested. His wife and daughters arc in a very critical condition, and the men in a serious condition. AIR FATALITY. AIELBOURNE, Sept. 0. The aviation accident in Geelong marks the seventh air fatality in Australia this year. It is believed that E. Bell realising that something was wrong with the machine, when at an altitude of two thousand feet, fried to make a forced landing, hut when be was two hundred feet up, the engine stalled and tho plane nose dived to the ground. ___