AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 6 October 1928, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

LIBEL ACTION. (Australian Press Association).' (United Service). (Received this day at 8 a.m.) ■ SYDNEY, October 5. A libel action* wherein Thomas Arthur, claimed £2,000 from Bathursl “ National Advocate ” for statement? arising from what is known as the ballot box scandal, has concluded. Ar thur, who had been returning officer, was alleged to have allowed impfopei ballot boxes to be used in a certairi ballot. A verdict was given for plaintiff for £4OO. - .

BLASTING TRAGEDY. SYDNEY, October -5. During blasting operations at the Bunnerong Power Station site; to-day, four men somehow were caught in a pump pit when one shot was fired, and a quantity of stone fell upon William Holt was fatally' injured; Martin Kennedy was critical! injured; and John Ryan and‘Matthew Duggan were less seriously hurt. ' All four of them were married men. • SYDNEY TRAGEDY. ¥ CHATMAN TO GO FOR TRIAL. SYDNEY, October 5. The inquest on Hilda Hancock, the barmaid, whose death was cabled on September Ist, resulted in a'verdict against Aubrey Chapman, who was committed for trial on the change 'of murder.

A FUNERAL. SYDNEY, October 5, ; The funeral of Fleming, Chief Civic Commissioner, was largely attended, including representatives of official and business circles. Requiem Mass was celebrated at St. Mary’s Cathedral- by r Archbishop Kelly. FLOATING DOCK. SYDNEY, Oct. 5. ; The first section, comprising the main midship portion of the new floating dock, being constructed at Walsh Island, Newcastle, was launched today by the New South Wales Premier, Mr Bavin. The bow portion, should be ready for launching by Christmas, and the balance about August next. The total cost will be £410,000.

PROBATE GRANTED. (Received this day at 9.25. a.m.) SYDNEY, October 6. Probate has been granted in the will of Enid Miriam Halsted, formerly of Christchurch, who left £14,379. The testatrix, was the wife of Percy Halsted, who with her brother Emil, of Dunedin, are the executors of the estate, which is left on trust for the benefit of the children and grandchildren. : The will of Mrs Dorothea Ziele, of Leeton, New South has been lodged for probate and it is believed that bequests of over £so,ooo have been made to disabled or blinded soldiers in Australia. The major portion of the estate is in New Zealand. frINE WEATHER. ' SYDNEY, October 6. The weather fer the final of the racing carnival at Randwick to-day in clear and warm, ’with strong northwest winds. . RAIN IN MELBOURNE. SYDNEY, October 5. A heavy and continuous rain throughout Victoria has - provided splendid seasonal prospects, but there is danger of floods in the north and south-western area. SEAMEN STRIKE. MELBOURNE, October ,6. Six hundred seamen, from fourteen inter-State vessels, have struck, refusing to vfork with volunteers. More than three thousand volunteers have been enrolled on the Melbourne wharves and fifteen hundred are working. - - STRIKE VIOLENCE. MELBOURNE, October 6. Further acts of violence are reported, the strikers hurling blue metal when the volunteers were leaving Nestor, a fierce fight ensuing. The volunteers, however, stood their ground, only one of their number being seriously injured. He was sent to the hospital. , n