AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 May 1927, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Australian A* N.Z. Cablo Association.]

GRAVEL-PIT FATALITY. MEI.ROrRNK. May 19. When a rescuer reached Greenwood cabled yesterdayi lie was dead.

GERMAN TENDER ACCEPTED. MELBOURNE. .May lit

The Stale Electricity Commission placed with German linns, orders for material to the total of over 2-15,000, to he used to facilitate the winning of brown coal at Yallourn.

Six lenders were received, one. English. two American and three German. After allotting for the preference given under the Customs tariff to Britishnianufactured goods, it was found that the English price was iti.7 per cent higher than the German. German firms also undertook to deliver goods in less than half the time specified in the English tender.

THE AIR. TRAGEDY. -MELBOURNE, May 19

'The inquest was held to-day into the air smash on the 21st. April, when two planes fell during the Royal visit. 'The evidence showed that tho machines woro giving a salute to the Duke and Duchess of York by dipping, when one touched the other, and both aeroplanes then crashed. Both machines wore trustworthy ones, having been thoroughly inspected on the morning of the flight. An Air Force officer stated that since the tragedy an arrangement had been completed for tho equipment of every machine with parachutes. The verdict was one of accidental death, the (' ronor making no comment.

CONOR KG A'l lOXAL UNION. ADELAIDE, Alnv 20

The tenth annual assembly of the Congregational Union of Australia and New Zealand opened at the Stow Church and was attended by a record number of delegates, who were welcomed by Rev. Parkin, Chairman of the South Australian Union.

X.S.AV. POLITICS. SYDNEY, .May 2(1. In connection with the State Labour split, the Conroy faction contends that Mr Lang, h.v taking the platform in support of Mr O’Gonnnn for tho Warriugah live-election against the selected Labour candidate, Mr Conroy, has automatically expelled himself from the movement, in accordance with the rules of his party.

Mr Lang maintains Unit the Seale faction is a constitutional body, and therefore he lias not expelled himself. Mr Theodore, speaking in support of Air Conroy, said, if a break-away in the Labour Party were formed in New South Wales, tlio.se associated therewith would have to he dealt with ruthlessly for the sake of the wcllnre ol I lie movement. He said there, were some people with an over-weening pride, people who occupied high positions and who thought, that-because o) those positions they were tile sole movement. He predicted the time would come, probably very shortly, when they would have to deal with the situation witli gloves oil.

ATTEMPTS FRUITLESS. SYDNEY. May 20.

Attempts to refloat the Rivoriua have been abandoned for the present, owing to unsuitable tides. 11, evontnallv. the vessel is refloated the cost ol repairs will he considerable, ns the bottom of the ship has been set up more’ than was at first thought. Other damage is also reported.

PRICE OF HORSES. SYDNEY, Alay 20.

The effect of the widespread adoption of motor nower and the resultant decrease in the price of horses was demonstrated at a- sale of horses at the Lismore Municipal yards, when forty horses brought a total ol £22. the highest price was £2 and others brought as low as a shilling to two shillings. DEATH FROM SNAKE BITE. ADELAIDE, Alay 20.

Four months ago O. J. I‘rcueh came from South Africa to act as Curator to the snake park established by the City Council in order to supply knowledge of how to host treat snake bites. The place contains specimens of all sorts of venomous and noil-venomous reptiles. French, who is a recognised authority on snakes, was bitten by a large black snake on Wednesday while giving a demonstration before children. He died yesterday as the result ol the bite.