AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 June 1927, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.] .MANHOLE TRAGEDY. SYDNEY, Alay 31. While endeavouring to locate leaks in the gas and water mains at P.vmbie, which employees of both the Gas Company and the Water Board were investigating, John Simmons, turncock of the Water Board, opened a manhole in the street and descended Immediately the others heard a cry from him for help. Herbert Sharp, of the Gas Company, descended in an endeavour fo rescue Simmons. The watchers on top of the shaft, however, were horrified to see him reel and collapse in about three foot of water.

Six other men also attempted to effect a rescue, hut they were all overcome by fumes, which subsequently were discovered to ho gas escaping from one of the mains in the same shaft as the water main.

The police had great difficulty in recovering the bodies of Simmons and Sharp. They lifted them on to the top of the shaft, which was only nine feet in depth, by means of a long iron bar, hooked at the end.

RENOWN’S FIRE. SYDNEY. Afay 31

A wireless message from the Renown states that appreciable danger threatened the Renown and the Royal passengers oil the afternoon of Afay 2fith. as the result of a serious fire in one of the boiler rooms, the fire continuing for nearly twelve hours. Splendid bravery was displayed by the engineer officers and men. who repeatedly entered an inferno of flames, steam and oil fumes in their efforts to prevent the spread of the conflagration. Captain Sullivan subsequently issued the following statement regarding the outbreak:—“An oil-fuel fire occurred in one of the six boiler rooms. Such fires are provided against in all oilfired ships, hut there naturally was some anxiety until steps had been taken to prevent its spreading. In this case there was considerable difficulty, as the fire was located in the least-accessible part of the boiler-room hut the ship’s organisation was equal to the task. As an extra precaution, the ship was stopped to reduce the draught of air. The damage to the electric lighting in the affected room was considerable, hut the boiler remained intact, and the steaming capabilities were not a fleeted. Four men suffered slight burns and gassing. The Duke of York descended to close proximity to the (ire. and offered his sonvices, hut little could Ik* done except

hv the engineers.” TR OUB LE TH I! EATEN ED. ERISBAXE. May 31. A squad of police who were sent to prevent possible violence at a mill strike at South Johnstone, arrived in civilian clothes, carrying their arms and ammunition hidden in parcels.

There has been a conference of the parties to the dispute, hut it failed to arrive an an agreement. The farmers state that if labour is not shortly forthcoming they will themselves work the mill. Police are patrolling the farms, in consequence of reported threats by the strikers to set fire to the cane.

INSURANCE RATES REDUCED SYDNEY, Alav 31.

The members of the Accident Underwriters’ Association of New South Waes, who are licensed under the AYorkers* Compensation Act, have, as the result of their experience of the Act. decided to make a reduction of twenty per cent, in the premiums that are renewable from July Ist. next.

They have also announced that the rates will in future lie further reduced, and that discounts will he allowed wherever practicable.

AIURDER OF BLACKS. PERTH, May 31. A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Constable St. Jack, against whom the Commission found, as cabled on Alav 27th.. guilty on a charge of murder. A warrant has also been issued f r the arrest of Constable Regan on a similar charge. Note.—The inquiry as to charges of

murderin'; aborignals in Westralia found tlint St. Jack and Kogan had been guilty of killing natives. N.S.W. LAKOUK. SYDXKV, June 1. Kopresentatives of the two rival factions of the Labour Party lengthily conferred to-day with a view to healing the breach in the Labour ranks and averting an imminent dissolution of parliament. While no finality was reached, it was stated there was a likelihood of a settlement of the dispute of the two factions being reached, and the Labour Party would present a united front to the anti-Labour force at next elections.