AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 November 1927, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.)

WATERSIDERS’ STRIKE. SYDNEY, Nov. 16

The Waterside "Workers’ Federation decided to declare black north and south coasts for transhipment by in-tor-State or overseas vessels. Tlie trouble arose out of the employment of casual wharf labourers in the loading of vessels, tlie men demanding preference to unionists. ACTIVITIES OF NATIVE POLICE. SYDNEY, Nov. 16. Advices from Tulaga state that most of the civil force evacuated Sinnrango on Sunday. The navy evacuated on Tuesday. The Adelaide is sailing for Sydney on the 18tli. A large force of native police, under two whites, are advancing from opposite sides of the island to Sinarango, with the object of connecting with the force already there. At Gualipe Bassinnos, the original village, two outlaws were killed, one was wounded and twelve were arrested. The naval landing force is suffering from sickness and climatic conditions. SYDNEY WOOL PRICES. SYDNEY, Nov. 16. At The wool sales the demand is again strong and general. Late full rates are being maintained for all descriptions. Comebacks and crossbreds continued in keen request. Greasy merino sold to 293 d.

MENTAL HOSPITALS REPORT, SYDNEY, Nov. 17.

The annual report, on Mental Hospitals shows they contain 8610 patients, an increase of 174 for the year, a proportion of one to 275 of the general population. During the year; 105 patients escaped, hut all were recaptured excepting 21. None of those was of a dangerous class. The report strongly urges an amendment to the Lunacy Act to provide legislation for mental defectives.

N.S.W. POLITICS. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) SYDNEY, Nov. 17. The Assembly read a first time the Civic Commission Bill by 45 to 40, purely a party vote. PRISONS REPORT. SYDNEY, Nov. 17. The annual Prisons Report discloses including convicted and liiiconvicted prisoners, 8158 persons, of whom G 958 were males, were received into prisons last year, a decrease of 592 compared with the previous year. Less than half were natives of New South Wales. Seventy-three per cent of the offences were of minor character, sentences ranging from one to six months.