AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 January 1927, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.]

GOLD FROM XHAY GUINEA

(Received this day at 9.30 a.m.) •SY ONE) , Jan. ]]

Another ten thousand ounces of gold from New Guinea fields arrived by steamer yesterday, valued at over £2.5,000. This makes forty-one thousand ounces of an estimated value of £]Q9_ that has reached Sydney since the shipments began in August last. Among returnees were over a dozen disappointed miners, unable to get inland fr i i the coast, owing to the want of I a l -, difficulties of the route, or dri. i ■ i them by hardships. A< * I Ig to other miners, men «1,0 ha v< i ae southward in connection with the settlement of disputed claims, the dotation of further areas and other matters connected with the field, all the good ground in Edie Creek area has been taken tip. They, however, give glowing accounts of new extensive finds at Watnt. two days’ march, north-west of Kdie Creek. They state the gold there is worth £3 17s f! ( | p or ounce compared with £2 Ids for Edie metal. The climate at the new field is described as temperate. There are good food and.labour conditions accessibility i s easier and living and working conditions altogether better.

SMITH MURDER INQUEST SYDNEY. Jan. n. At the inquest on Joan Smith (cabled o n 30th December) the father gave evidence that he had had frequently to find fault with Hughes, who was at present in custody, and had been finally compelled to discharge him. He did not tell the police whv ho had discharged Hughes, but told them lie suspected the lad of the murder. Dorothy Scinidth, employed at another station, where Hughes was working gave evidence that she told la reused of the finding of the girl’s body and Hughes replied that she had been buried too long to see any marks of violence. Witness bad not referred to marks, the suggestion coming first from Hughes. ROYAL COMMISSION. SYDNEY. Jan. H. Tho Government has appointed a Royal Commission to enqiii”o into tho cause of bush fires 'and means which eoubl be adopted to prevent a recurrence.

TROUBLE IN NORTH. DARWIN. Jan. 11. Trouble lias been experienced between tho police and miners at Xnrramboy owing to the police seizing liquor for Christmas. A meeting of miners carried a resolution that they would forcibly eject one of the cmistiibles from the field, unless an inquiry was held into his conduct. The Administrator refused an inquiry until the ultimatum was withdrawn, stating the law would be uplte’d at all costs. Meanwhile the field is seething with unrest. LOAN OVERSUBSCRIBED. (Received this day at lt.o a.in.) SYDNEY, Jan. 11. The recently floated Commonwealth six million 5} per cent conversion loan was oversubscribed to the extent ot ioO.LObu. . . EIRE STARTER FIXED. SYDNEY, Jail. 11. hi the Police Court at Wnggii, Leslie Sterck was lined 30s on a charge of carelessness in connection with a tiro which occurred on 13th December, and caused £-13,000 worth of damage. The police gave evidence that the bush fires which swept the M urrumbidgee Valley near Wagga were caused by Sterck lighting a fire ill ail open fireplace among dry glass, in order to boil water. A strong wind was Flowing, and the fire broke away. )) lien accused was asked why he did not attempt to extinguish it. he said he could not put out the lire with boiling water.

WORK SLACK. SYDNEY, Jan. 11. 'l'lie secretary of the Australian Worker:,’ Union, reports that during the past two months over a thousand members of bis union employed in railway construction work bad been dismissed and the outlook lor the lutuie aas very black, as further heavy dismissals were anticipated. The Railway Department states the men were dismissed as no further work was available. A FIRE. •SYDNEY, January 11. A lire at Dorrige destroyed a general store and chemist’s shop. The damage is £20,000. At one stage it looked as if a whole block of shops would bo destroyed, the crowd smashed the plate-glass windows and removed the contents to safety, causing further heavy damage.

FEDERAL FINANCE. MELBOURNE, January 11

The Commonwealth Treasury is preparing legislation to give effect to the policy of abandoning to the States taxations on personal incomes, in exchange for the cessation ol the pel capita payment.

TOURISTS FEELINGS. .MELBOURNE, January 11

American tourists by the Corinthia reported resentment at the attitude adopted towards them by a section of the press at Auckland and Sydney, stating they did not expect the reception received and did not think it was justified. It was the stinging ridicule that they resented and many of them would have been glad if they had not visited Australia. It was a shock to come thousands of miles pleasurably anticipating a visit and to he received with disrespect and ridicule. WATER SI DER-S’ CLAIMS.

MELBOURNE, January 11. The Commonwealth Arbitration Court commenced hearing the claims of the Waterside Workers’ Federation, which were in dispute during the recent overtime strike. The claims include preference to members of the Federation. The Judge, referring to the latter said that preference will be granted only it the Court is satislid 7t will lead to continuity of work and the settlement of disputes, it would be granted only as an aid to industrial peace and would not be given as ~ matter of fact to aid unions in acquiring power in other directions. SOUTH AUSTRALIAN ELECTION. ADELAIDE, January 11. The Cabinet decided that the South Australian general election will be held on 26m March.