AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 27 December 1928, Page 6

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

BRIBERY CHARGE

FITZGIBBONS COMMITTED FOR TRIAL.

Australian Press A isn.—United Service

SYDNEY, December 25,

Michael Fitzgibbons has been committed for trial on.a charge of attempting to bride the Chief Secretary, Mr A. E. Hrunlnell, with £2OO, in connection with the recommendation of a certain bus route.

Arthur Cooper, Superintendent off Public Service Telephones, gave evidence that lie was present at a meeting between Fitzgibbons and Major Jarvie, a member of the Legislative Assembly, when the latter admitted having received £‘3oo in addition to the £2OO mentioned. Jarvie said that he was holding this £3OO up his sleeve. Fitzgibbons wanted it hack, and late) witness received it on his behalt, as Jarvie did not wish that they should be seen together.

TRAIN COLLISION

forty people injur kb

MELBOURNE, December 25

A holiday train frpin .Melbourne to Yarram, entering Koowerup station, ax a speed Of twepty-five miles an hour, fouled the tender of a milk train. The sides of five out of six coaches comprising the passenger train wore ripped out, the last ear being the only one to escape. Forty persons were injured. Eighteen were taken to hospital. None, however, were seriously hurt so lar as can he ascertained.

The passengers behaved splendidly, there being no panic. Relief trains were hurried to the scene and took people to their destinations.

It was fortunate that the passenger train was slowing down, as 'otherwise the disaster would have been appalling. The milk train locomotive was shunt jug down the yard and the tcndei somehow did not quite clear the points.

CHRISTMAS IN SYDNEY. SYDNEY, December 25

The weather was gloriously line for the holiday, with , a forecast for eon tiimaiice of good weather, with moderate temperatures. There is a great exodus of city people if of mountain or seaside resorts. Shopkeepers report record business, which is a happy ending for a year in which business men bad many anxieties, due to the dullness of trade.

FIRE AT BOURKE

HUGE PROPERTY LOSSES,

SYDNEY, Decemlier 25

Fourteen shops and an hotel in the business centre of Bourke were burned on Christinas Eve. The flames were fanned by a strong wind, ''llierc was no fire brigade and no organised water supply. The residents formed a bucket brigade and fought desperately from roof to roof, but their efforts to stem the conflagration were futile. The damage is estimated at £70,000 to £BO,OOO, one firm losing its Christmas stock which was valued at £25,000. Half the other side of the street was burned three months ago.

N.S.W. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. SYDNEY, December 24. Professor J. B. Peden, M.L.C.. has been appointed President of the Legislative Council of New South Wales, in succession to the late Hon. Mr Flowers. Professor Pedon has an extensive equity practice and is Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University.

trance to the railway yard. 4he driver and solo occupant of the car, Ella- C-on stance Hack, of Lyttelton, was thrown out with extreme violence, and she now lies in the Christchurch Hospital in a serious condition.

FATHER O’CONNOR

SILVER JUBILEE

TI MAB U, December 24

A very pleasant function took place at St. Patrick’s School, Pleasant Point, prior to. the break-up, when the children entertained Father O’Connor at a delightful concert on the occasion of his Silver Jubilee. The following contributed:—Jubilee song, by the pupils ; instrumental duets, by Misses K. l'ox, C. Lunisden, M. Ryder, and D. Bray; pianoforte solos by Master J. Phillips, Misses D. Sullivan and M. Foley ; vocal solos by Misses Brosiiaban, Miss K. Shewnn, Masters J. Phillips, and J. O’Sullivan; Irish jig,-by Miss J. Reardon and Master J. Reardon ; recitations by P. Shirley, J). Sullivan, E. Hughes, S. Sullivan, and G. Frcil; playette, by Misses E. Hughes, J. Reardon, D. Sullivan, AT. Naughton, S. Sullivan, and G. Friol; dialogue, by Misses P. Eraser, P. Hepburn, J. -Reardon, M. Sullivan, O. Lundon, D. and S. Sullivan, A. Shewan, and E. Hughes. A recitation, “Twenty-Five Years at the Altar,” was given by Miss K. O’Donnell, and Master B. Hughes in a neat speech, complimented Father O’Connor on the attainment of bis jubilee, and ou behalf of the children wished him many years of health. Miss E. Hanson presented Father O’Connor afterwards with a set of breviaries. Father O’Connor thanked the children, and granted them a holiday in honour of the occasion.