AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 15 January 1929, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

COAL MINING DEPRESSION. £70,000 EXPENDED. Australian Press Assn.—United Service (Received this day at 10.30. a.m.) SYDNEY, Jan. 15. About £70,000 was advanced hy the State Government last year to meet the expenditure of the doles distributed to distressed families in the coal mining areas emphasising the depres? sion in the coal mining industry. SHIPPING FREIGHT INQUIRIES" MELBOURNE, Jan. 15. 'Flic Victorian Importers Association decided to wait replies to inquiries regarding the shipping freights sent by the Prime Minister, Mr Bruce, to the Australian and the New Zealand Merchants Association in London before taking further action. Private cables received in Melbourne indicate the proposed increases apply to cargo from Britain to Australia. The only reply received from London also indicates that freights are in receipt of outward cargo only. PERTH’S SEWERAGE SYSTEM. PERTH, Jan. 15. The Minister of Works approved of the sewerage scheme for Perth, which is estimated at a cost between three and four million sterling. The scheme provides for outlets into the ocean. SUDDEN FLOOD. ' J BRISBANE, Jan. 15.' The Burdekin River commenced to rise without any warning, at the rate of five feet an hour, until it was within three feet of the railway lines. The rapid rate then slackend but at seven o'clock last night the water was over the rails and was still rising. All railway traffic was stopped, as bridges are under water. ?, The train from Cairns to Townsville passed over the Herbert River bridge but the water then came down from the ranges and the train was held up at Cardwell. While endeavouring to cross a bridge over the Herbert river, 'Henry Zeike was swept away and drowned. POISONED RAMS. LOSS OF 150. BRISBANE, Jan. 15. A Longroach message states between 150 and 200 rams died from poison, while a flock, ranging from seven to fifty guineas, was crossing the Longreach reserve. The loss is estimated at £ISOO. ELEPHANTS BOLT. COMMOTION IN MELBOURNE. MELBOURNE, Jan. 15. There was considerable excitement in the city when six elephants attached to Wirths Circus just landed from a steamer bolted ,through the streets. No damage was done but traffic was disorganised. COINING CHARGE. MELBOURNE, January 15. David Mahovsky (cabled on Bth Jan.,) was committed for trial ’on a charge of possessing moulds for florin pieces. The police gave evidence that Mahovsky at first said the moulds were for making a crucifix. Later he stated ho had intended to make coins but had not done so.