AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 December 1927, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(Australian it N.Z. Cable Association.) N.S.W. DRINK BILL. SYDNEY, Dec. 8. Government Statistician figures disclose the drink bill of New Soufli Wales for the year ended June last totalled £13,222,000 an increase of £689,000 over the previous year. The amount spent per head of population was £6 12s 7d.

FEDERAL POLITICS. CANBERRA, Dec. 0

In the House of Representatives speaking at the second reading of the Wireless Agreement Bill, which ratifies the agreement proposed to be made between the Commonwealth Government and the Amalgamated Wireless of Australasia, Ltd., the Post-master-General said the beam was proving an effective service. The cost of the beam to Australia was £120.01)0 yearly, and it was capable of handling the whole traffic. The value of the tal.le system on the other hand was £12.000,000. He asked who would operate the twelve million .scheme when an expenditure of £120,000 gave the same service, and he added that the revenue of the company received to date was £126.000 yearly, hut under the agreement it would receive only £37,600.

N.S.W. POLITICS. SYDNEY. Dee. 9. The Legislative Council passed the Industrial Arbitration Amendment Bill and a Bill prohibiting night betting on licensed racecourses. Both Chambers adjourned till the 20th. WOOL SALES CONCLUDE. BRISBANE. Dec. 9. The third series of wool sales have concluded. The market closed firm at Tuesday’s opening rates, the only lots meeting irregular competition being those carrying an excessive amount of fault or heavy duty or doubtful yielding parcels. HARE COURSING. MELBOURNE. Dec. 9. The Legislative Counci 1 ! passed a Bill prohibiting hotting at mechanical hare coursing meetings. 'ADELAIDE, Dec. 9. The Legislative Council passed a bill prohibiting the introduction of mechanical hare coursing in South Australia.

A FIRE. SYDNEY, Dec. 9. A fire at Narroinino destroyed lour shops. The damage is ten thousand sterling. AN ENQUIRY. (Received this day at 10.16 a.mA SYDNEY, Dec. 9. Cabinet decided to hold an enquiry into the allegations ol payments by grocers who held wine licenses in connection with the amendment of the liquor act cabled 6th October. The form of inquiry is not yet decided but if necessary a royal commission will he appointed. FIREMEN REFUSE DUTY. SYDNEY, Dee. 9. Sixteen firemen of the steamer Roua were arrested and charged with refusing to take the vessel to sea. A dispute arose over the owners rel using the demand of the men when the steamer entered port, that extra hands be employed to attend the boilers.

GOOD RAINFALL. SYDNEY. Dec. 9. Rain has fallen in the north and north-western districts, many places receiving between two and four inches. Dry beds of creeks and hollows are running like flooded rivers. There is heavy damage to fencing. Good rains were also experienced in drought stricken areas of Queensland. FIRE LOSS. ADELAIDE, Dec. -P A fire destroyed l.eeormis bedding and cabinet works and two adjoining cottages at north Adelaide. The damage is thirty thousand sterling. TENNIS DECISION. SYDNEY, Dec. 9. The Management Committee of the Australasian Tennis Association has issued a notice that from to-morrow photographs of players while in action cannot be taken during the progress of a match. Photographers are barred excepting from pictures which might taken during a preliminary hit up lielore the actual matches begin. KING’S CUP CONDITIONS. SYDNEY. Dec. 9. The Jockey Club has fixed the King’s Cup to he run at the autumn meeting on April 14th. The added money will he £2,000, in addition to a gold cup

valued at £IOO, the gift of the King. The distance is 1-J- miles, the highest weight 9.b and lowest 7 stone. Entries close on 17tli January. The coveted prize is expected to draw large entries. CAXBERBA NEAVS. CANBF.RBA. Dec. 9. In the House of Representatives Mr Brennan complained Canberra lias been made the subject of scriptural derogation and wanted something done abou: it. He explained that enquiries were made from Melbourne to prominent civil servants as to the conditions at Canberra. In reply the inquirer was referred to a verse in Prophet Nalium. Brennan looked up this verse and found it read:“ AVoe to the blood v city. It is all full of lies and robbery.” He asked the Minister of Horne Affairs would he take steps to correct this allegation or at least make it clear that it was greatly exaggerated. The Minister replied that as the question was such a serious one and as the answer required careful consider tion he would be glad if Afr Brennan would put the question on the notice paper. ______