AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 December 1927, Page 4

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.) AUSTRALIAN SHIPPINGG TRADE. SYDNEY, I)ee. 28. The past year has shown a considerable ‘progress in shipping in Australia. There is much evidence that the industry generally will continue to advance during 1928. Trade in overseas, inter-State and New South Wales coastal services has lieen satisfactory. During the year ended thirtieth June a record quantity of cargo from overseas was landed. .Merchandise, shipping by vessels on the Australian registrar was greater than ever before. AYitb one or two minor exceptions oversea freight rates for general cargo remained unchanged. Apart from the wntersiders strike recently, the trade was not hampered during the year to such an extent as in preceding years.

WELCOME RAIN. BRISBANE, Dec. 28. Stock and station agents are jubilant over the general prolific rainfall in Queensland and they report the stock market active, hut iinanci.il difficulties are greatly hampering graziers. As quickly as finance is obtained it is invested in stock for restocking purposes. Rivers continue to rise and flood warnings have been issued in several places. I here have been no report of serious losses oi stock. QUEENSLAND FLOODS. BRISBANE. Dec. 27. Heavy floods in the central and lustern districts of Queensland caused a general dislocation of traffic and much damage. The rivers arc all overflowing. Two lives are reunified to have been lost in the Ling-reach district. Willis Mai ne, overseer at Mount Cornish Station. and a black boy attempted to swim their horses across a crook. May no was washed away and drowned. The hoy succeeded in reaching the bank exhausted. An unknown man was sun minded by flood waters on the Thompson Hirer. and was drowned while trying to escape.

AIR MAIL ACCIDENT. SYDNEY, Dec. 27. An air mail service aeroplane crashed while Diking off at Hay. Pilot Daish was seriously injured, a mechanic and a male passenger were injured, but t«"o women passengers were unhurt. STRIKE AT REGATTA. SYDNEY. Doe. 27. The weather was fine hut cool till mid-afternoon, and then was showery. The Balmain Regatta was marred by a strike of stewards engaged to serve the official luncheon aboard (lie flagship. They refused to serve anyone except passengers, and a large number of guests, including the Governor-Gen-eral, had to go without their midday meal. TRIAL FLIGHT POSTPONED. .Melbourne, Dee. 28. The trial flight of MonoriefT and Knight’s monoplane, which was to he held at Point Cook to-day. was postponed owing to inclement weather. The machine will he lilted with wireless, and the airmen will report progress during the flight to New Zealand.