AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 December 1927, Page 1

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.) THE COMING ELY. -MELBOURNE, Dec. 24. The monoplane in which the flight to New Zealand is io he made is being assembled at Point Cook aerodrome and is expected to he ready for a trial flight on Wednesday. Eater it will fly to Richmond aerodrome, Sydney. Probably on the clay of the great flight ii will fly to the Mascot aerodrome, where petrol will be taken aboard. The airmen intend to land at Wellington. but the choice depends on the weather conditions. The machine carries three hundred gallons of petrol, enabling it to be flown IGOO to 1700 miles. The Federal Government is extending every courtesy to the Now Zealand airmen. The flight will possibly start this year. Night time selected will coincide with the presence of four steamers, spaced at fairly regular intervals between Australia and New Zealand. The New Zealand Government has arranged for the New Zealand naval squadron to he exercising on the coast at that time. The monoplane is named Aotearoa. MR A MERY AT SUVA. SUVA, Doc. 24.

The A.ornngi arrived on Friday from Auckland. Hon. Amery was received by the acting Governor (the Chief Justice), and Mayor, and was introduced to notables. The usual Fijian welcome ceremonies and expressions of goodwill to the King were accorded. Mr Amery next day met local bodies and attended a civic reception. He sailed at noon for Vancouver.

A PREMIER’S HOLIDAY. ■SYDNEY, Dec. 24. Premier Bavin intends spending several weeks holiday at his birthplace New Zealand, commencing in the middle of January. WATER-FRONT TROUBLE. SYDNEY. Dee. 21. Trouble is again looming on the waterfront as the result of the decision of the Australian Seamen’s Union to hold a stop-work meeting on Wednesday morning next. Under their award the seamen are given the right to hold stop-work meetings on the last Tuesday in every month and because next Tuesday is n holiday the seamen asked the owners’ permission to hold a meeting next Wednesday. It is understood, however, that the owners refused the application. The seamen thereupon decided to take matters into their own hands by holding a meeting. CHRISTMAS SHOPPING. SYDNEY, Dec. 24. The shops last night were thronged to almost suffocation point. There has been a large exodus of city people to the seaside and country resorts. REPORTED AEROPLANES. CANBERRA. Dec. 24. No information has been received by the Minister ol Home lerritories (Mr Mu it) regarding the aeroplanes in West Australia (cabled ol yesterday). The Coinptrollo-rConeral of Customs slated he did not regard it as a serious suggestion that the aeroplanes were engaged in smuggling opium. He pointed out the necessity of having a mother-ship of at least six thousand lons on the coast, which would make tin, cost prohibitive, while an aeroplane between Broome and the islands of the East Indies seemed equally

impracticable. KX PLOSION AT OKKI.ONG. .MFlißOriiNK. Dee. 2(>Five men were severely burned in an explosion at the Australian Cement Company’s works, near Boobing. 'I lie building and machinery used for crushinn- coal were wrecked. Tt. is supposed that the cau.se of the explosion was spontaneous combustion of gas from coal or a spark accidentally lighting the gas.