AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 September 1928, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(Australian Press Association.)

GUNMAN’S CRIME. SYDNEY, Sept. 9

Early last night in crowded Rnwson Place, near tho railway station, one of the busiest spots in the city, Leslie Grnno, aged 21, who was walking with several other youths, was accosted by a stranger, who told them to “get out of this.” Grano and his companions, thinking it was a jest, laughed. The stranger then drew u revolver and shot Grano, who was sent to the hospital in a dying condition. Ihe crimo-op-parently was without motive. It was committed in tho presence of thousands of onlookers, who made no attempt to detain tho gunman.

MT. KOSCIUSKO TRAGEDY. ONE BODY DISCOVERED. SYDNEY, Sept. 10. The dead body of Laurie Seaman, one of the missing skiiers, was discovered behind a rock in a good state of preservation, a mile from tlie summit of Mount Kosciusko, uy a schoolmaster, who was with a party of visiting schoolboys. The searchers, during August, traversed the spot whore -tlie body - was located.

The body of the other missing skiior, Hayes, lias no been seen, hut a further search is''being made to-day.

POPE’S MESSAGE. SYDNEY, Sept. 10. Cardinal Cerretti read a message from the Pojk: granting two hundred days’ indulgence to all Catholics who have fulfilled their obligations to their Church. SHIPPING UPHEAVAL THREATENED. j MELBOURNE, Sept. 10. Another shipping upheaval is threatening. Waterside workers’ officials declare if tho owners attempt to enforce the Beeby Award, a strike will occur in every port in Australia. Steps will he taken to-morrow to form one big maritime union. Shipowners say they are prepared to meet the men in Conference, hut decline to become parties to any arrangement outside the scope of the new award, since they have already spent considerable sums producing evidence in Court, for its guidance in making the existing award.

Union officials are sure that the basis of a discussion with tlie owners, should he the rates paid and conditions existing under the former award. Shipowners will probably have an informal talk with the Union delegates todav or to-morrow.

Inquiries among shipowners’ representatives at Sydney and Mellioiirne, however, elicit the fact that they intend to insist on the observance of tho main principles of the Beeby Award.

FIREMEN HOLD-UP. BRISBANE, Sept. 10.

The passenger steamer Canberra has been held up at Townsville for three days over schedule, owing to the absence of several firemen causing a serious disposition in tlie tourist traffic. A request lias been made to tho Prime Minister to enforce a penal clause in tho Commonwealth Arbitration Act, whereby a company will be afforded protection if it desires to engage free labour.

NATIONAL INSURANCE. CANBERRA, Sept. 10

The Federal Government’s scheme for national insurance against old age and invalidity lias been completed, but time will be given Friendly Societies to study tho objects. Tlie cost of insurance will be borne jointly by Government, employers and employees. The scheme will he restricted to persons earning less than £8 per week. An employee, upon the payment of sixpence per week, will -lie entitled to £1 weekly upon reaching the age of sixty.