AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 December 1927, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association. GEORGE GIFFEN DEAD. ADELAIDE, Nov. "29. The death lias occurred of George Giffen, the oucc-famous cricketer, aged 68. George Giffen was one of the giants of Australian cricket about forty years ago. He was captain of the Australian Eleven in several Test series, and his last tour to England was with Harry Trott’s team, in which Clem Hill, himself. now a veteran, long since retired, made his first trip at the age of nineteen. as an Australian representative. That was nearly thirty yearn ago. George Giffen and his brother Walter, with Darling and one or. two other players of international were the mainstay of South' Australian cricket for many years. As an allrouiuler he must rank among the greatest players Australia has ever known. He was a howler who could beat batsmen on any sort of wickets, end he was at the same time one of the best batsmen in Australia. For years after he retired from first-class cricket he spent his leisure coaching boys in his own city, Adelaide. Indeed, he kept up his self-imposed task until only a few years ago.

COMYIOXYYEALTH LINE. SYDNEY, Nov. 30.

Sir William Clarkson, of the Commonwealth Shipping Board, said to-day that the main hone of contention was the afternoon pick-up. That question did not concern the Commowealth Line, as it did not require an afternoon pick-up, and because the Line was not affected, it had. stood clear, of the Shipowners’ Association in the matter. YIEN DECLINE OWNERS’ TERYIS. HOBART, Nov. 30. Failing to give the undertaking required by the shipowners at the pickup this morning, no waterside workers were engaged, and the loading and unloading of vessels ceased. Among the ships affected is the Kairanga, - ' loading for New Zealand. NO LABOUR AT BRISBANE. BRISBANE, Nov. 30. Not a single wharf labourer offered his services under the shipowners’ stipulations, at this morning’s pickup. FAYfILY ENDOWMENT COSTS. (Received this day at 9.30 a.mi. SYDNEY, Dee. 1. Evidence was given to the Family Endowment Commission that public utilities were heavy sufferers by the tax. For instance it would add thirty thousand sterling to the cost of Nortli Shore Bridge, and fifty-five thousand sterling charges to the Yletropolitan Water Sewerage Board.

A BEQUEST. SYDNEY, Dec. T. Miss Harris, who died at Katoomha, left an estate of £3164 sterling, which she bequeathed to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. All she asks is that her dogs and canaries he painlessly destroyed. ILLEGAL BETTING. SYDNEY, Dec. 1. The growing prevalence of illegal betting is shown in the police reportfor three months ended October, 243 people in the Yletropolitan area iieie charged with illegal betting and finosol' over a thousand pounds sterling were inflicted.

WOOL SALES. SYDNEY, Dec. 1

The fifth series of wool sales has closed and flie sixth starts on 12tli. December. The market closed strong with good general competition, particmsrly Continental and Japanese sections, at prices ruling during Hie week. Comebacks and eross-breds' were particularly strong.

INCORRECT STATEMENT. MELBOURNE, Dec. 1. The “Melbourne Argus” received a cable from the Australian Press Association stating the Ford Company declare the Fbrd cable, dropped to-day. is full of inaccuracies and wrongly states the position and that the Ford Company is issuing authoritative an authentic statement to-morrow. IVOR KER S’ COM PENS ATION. (Received this dny nt 10.15 a.m.) I SYDNEY, Dec. 1. \ The annual report of the Worker^ 4 ' Compensation Commission was tabled in the Assembly. It states of fifty thousand cases of injury notified by the workers during the year ended Juno last, all except 1.37 per cent were settled by agreement, the balance being determined by the Commission at public hearings.

The cost of administration of the act for the period July to the end of December, 1920, was 1.3 per cent of tb-> premium income of insurers. Wa" : paid annually by self-insurers totnlb.i £27.000,000, and the amount of deposits required to he lodged was £303,000.

HEAVY LOSSES OF SHEEP. SYDNEY. Dec. 1

The heaviest stock mortality ever known, was experienced during the recent heavy rain and exceptionally cold weather. In the Bathurst District shearing had just closed and the newlyshorn sheep were subjected to extreme privations, heavy losses being suffered by many flocks. Individual losses in several cases ranged from £2,000 to £4,000. One grazier states the ground is white with dead sheep.