AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 August 1928, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

ivtsiralian Press Assn.—United Service SYDNEY COAL CONTRACTS. EVIDENCE OF SECRET COM-’ MISSIONS. SYDNEY, Aug. 21. At the coal inquiry Alfred Ivatt, Chairman of Directors of Byrnes Limited, refused to answer questions regarding sums shown in the Company's hooks as special commission for Mr Macafee. Arthur Earnshaw, a member of the firm of Kirton and Earnshaw, coal merchants, gave evidence that tbe firm entered contracts with the City Council in 1921 to supply coal. He paid the money to Woof in connection with two twenty-thousand ton contracts and he also paid money through. Johnson in connection with Council contracts. Johnston had told him he knew Aldermen, and witness paid threepence per toil in connection with a contract. Later Woof wanted sixpence per ton, but agreed to accept 'threepence if the money were paid in a lump sum of £25(1. Before the next contract Woof wanted sixpence hut accepted fourpence the first £175 to lie paid in a lump sum. Henry Gray Secretary of South Clifton Colliery said his firm tendered in 1925 for the supply of sixty thousands tons of coal. Woof offered his services to supervise power house tests at threepence per ton. The contract was accepted and V 750 was paid to Woof. The hearing was adjourned.

AIR CHIEF’S NARROW ESCAPE. SYDNEY, Aug. 21. It was revealed to-day that the Air Chief, Sir John Salmond, on route from Sydney to Brisbane, narrowly escaped a crash immediately after the start on Sunday, while passing over Manly. A wireless aerial depending from the superman'lie aircraft struck the side of the weatherboard of a house and also broke the electric light wires. The residents say that a terrific report followed, and the electric supply was interrupted in the locality. Eye witnesses allege that the plane was very low and appeared hardly able to rise to clear tlie houses. The machine alighted on the sea off Manly, presumably for overhaul, and then proceeded on the journey, reaching Brisbane in the afternoon. THE INTIMIDATION CHARGE. SYDNEY August 21. Replying ill the witness box to tlie charges of intimidation preferred against him Jacob Johnson. (General Secretary of the- Seamen’s Union) said that nobody had declared Rigby to be a “scab.” but adopted a resolution that the crew of the steamer “Katoora” should lea\'e the ship forthwith, and that “provided they did sjo, they would be exonerated from the scabby action into which they bad been deceived” when they took the ship to sea from Adelaide without any cooks aboard. A similar resolution. he said was passed next day covering the steamer Banvon, to which Rigby belonged. Brisbane waterside workers’ strike at Cairns ended. ELECTRIC BATTERY ON RACE 1 HORSE. MELBOURNE. Aug. 21. John Hook rider of tlie mare Halloween, whereon an electric battery was found at the Richmond race course on July 23, was fined £lO the maximum penalty. The expert said that the saddle contained three dry cells, capable of giving a shock of eight hundred volts, and sufficient to make "die horse frantic. I

WAR WIDOW’S PENSIONS. CANBERRA, Aug. 21

Cabinet lias decided to fix pensions for ivar widows on a fiat rate of fortv-two shillings weekly, Irrespective of other income, instead of the present minimum of 23s 6cl weekly.