AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 27 December 1929, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

FISHER A lAN’S ESCAPADE. 4' TWO WEEKS IN PRISON. (Australian Press Association) SYDNEY, Dec. 24. At Stonehaven a fisherman named George Knowles got drunk, and put to sea in a small boat, braving a fierce gale Spectators were convinced that lie would lose his life and called out the lifeboat, which went to the rescue. Knowles refused to accept assistance and returned safely to harbour, unaided. He was thereupon charged with, while in a state of intoxication, proceeding to sea in a storm, and by his reckless conduct endangering his life, causing such alqrin that the lifeboat was called out, and that he committed a breach of the peace. Knowles pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a fortnight’s imprisonment, without the option of a fine. ABSCONDS FROAI BAIL. BRISBANE, Dec. 24. Robert Al’Gowan, a solicitor, who was remanded last week on bail of £14,060 did not appear when the case was called to-day. A further charge has been preferred of the theffj of £3112 from a client. A VIOLENT CYCLONE. (Received this day at 11 a.m.) MELBOURNE, Dec. 27. Houses wore unroofed, fencing and telegraph lines were blown down and trees uprooted yesterday by a violent cyclone which swept the townships north of Bendigo. Not a single building at Knows ley escaped damage. The Roman Catholic Church and a private house were razed to the ground. The cyclone had a width ol two miles and travelled at a great speed. Roads are blocked by fallen trees. The gale (blew itself out in an hour and was followed by heavy rain.

WELCOME RAIN. ADELAIDE, Dec. 27, Heavy bain fell yesterday over almost the whole of the northern portion of ithe State. The pastoral areas are reported to have had the best falls for years. The rain means the break up of one of the worst droughts in the history of Australia, extending over nearly .six years. Falls up to three and a half inches are reported. The train to Broken Hill is cancelled owing to washaways. STEAAIER AND CREW LOST . MADRID, Dec. 26. The steamer Asland '(cabled yesterday) was lost off Bavona. Rescue attempts were unsuccessful. The crew of 25 were dashed to death on the rocks.