AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 July 1927, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.) BIG SYDNEY FIRE. SYDNEY. July 12. A disastrous lire in Chalmers Street in the city destroyed Brown’s Building, the bottom floor of which was used as a motor garage. The upper floors were occupied by Moreton and Co., printers and stationers; also the. Kura ndra Private Hotel'. Four other buildings adjoining were damaged. The guests in the hotel were hurriedly ordered to leave the building, and had just done so, when an adjoining wall fell upon it. The petrol stored in a garage caused a serious explosion. Several motor-ears were destroyed and the estimated damage exceeds £IOO,OOO. The Chief of the Fire Brigade states that it was the worst outbreak in Sydney for many months.

VESSELS DELAYED. SYDNEY, July 13. All incoming vessels from New Zealand have been delayed by westerly gales in the Tasman Sea.

RETIRING FROM POLITICS. SYDNEY, July 13. Mr McTiernan, (Attorney-General in Mr Lang's first ministry), is retiring from politics and will resume practice .at the bar. POLICE REPORT. SYDNEY, July 13. The annual report of the Commissioner of Police states at the end of last year there were 153,085 motor vehicles in New South Yales ol which ears numbered 104,670, lorries 22,986, and cycles 25.424. Since 1920 lorries have increased by eight hundred per cent and cars four hundred per cent. The proportion of motor vehicles to the population is roughly one to 151 people. The receipts for taxes, registrations and license fees for the past year amounted to over £1,000,000. ,

SCHOONER All RESTED. MELBOURNE. July 13. The American schooner Aneuira has been arrested on warrants issued on behalf of officers and crew who claim £1062 for wages due and return passages to America. It is understood the owners intend to abandon the vessel. INFECTED CATS. BRISBANE, July 13. The Health Department states that though eats at Townsville had died of pneumonic infection, the presence ot plague has not been definitely diagnosed. Furthermore, none of the rats trapped were affected with plague. Tt is pointed out that plague in cats usually followed the appearance of affected rats and mice, and if, as reported these were plague infected it would he a variation of past experience. Cultures from the dead eats are being investigated. The health authorities at Sydney are adopting precautionary measures against a possible outbreak and citizens are urged to increase their activity fn destroying rubbish, killing rats ana fleas.