AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 August 1927, Page 1

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(By Telegraph—for Press Association. ENQUIRIES FAIL. SYDNEY, Aug. 17. ~ Exhaustive enquiries failed fo disc lose a solution of the Condon murder. PROCEEDS OF SALE. MELBOURNE, Aug. 17. fu dale the Federal Government has received £3.3-10,000 from the sale of cx-Gorman plantations and other properties in Now Guinea. There is still twenty-one properties unsold, consisting of virgin soil wiiich "ill be offered for tender. The proceed.' of the sales ♦will honelit tlit Repal rial inn Fund.

A LIBEL ACTION. SYDNEY Aug. 17. After a protracted legal battle. A. C. Ruffe, a well-known property owner and financier, won an action wiiich he commenced several years ago against “Smith’s Weekly” newspaper in which he claimed £25.000 as damages for alleged libel. At an original hearing the jury found in lavour of the newspaper. Roffe then appealed to the State Full Court which dismissed the appeal. Later Roffe carried the case to the Privy Council, which upheld the appeal with all costs to be paid by “Smith's Weekly.” Subsequently further reference to the Privy Council was made to determine what was meant by all costs. The Privy Council held thi.s meant that all costs of the trial at the first instance: also costs of appeal to the State Full Court and to the Privy Council. After negotiations, “Smith’s Weekly” now agreed to make a public apology to Roffe. “Smith’s Weekly” will also have to pay costs which amount to £BOOO.

SEAMEN’S CLAIM. SYDNEY, Aug. 17. The Seamen’s Union served a demand on the Inter-State shipowners for a new log. in which they claim, inter alia, an increase- of five pounds sterling in wages monthly, three weeks annual leave on Tull pay. and a fortyfour honrs^vorkTng^week^^