AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 15 August 1930, Page 6

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

MURDER CHARGE DROPPED

(Australian Press Association.)

BRISBANE, August 14

Peter Pryor and Thomas Hoffman, who were charged with the murder of Robert Currv, the Superintendent of the Palm Island aboriginals, as cabled mi August 4tli, were to-day acquitted. The Crown entered a nolle prosequi.

Mr Justice Douglas said that the community at Palm Island had every right to protect itself when a man such as Curry threatened the lives of those on this island.

PETROL PRICE. 3d INCREASE IN VICTORIA. MELBOURNE, August 14. The price of motor oils and grease has been increased here by three-pence per gallon owing to the recent tarifr increases. RAIN IN VICTORIA. MELBOURNE, August 14. There has been splendid rain in Victoria for several days, with the result that a record wheat harvest is expected. A USTRALIAN MIGRATJ ON. (Received, this day at 9. a.m.) SYDNEY, Aug. 15. The Commonwealth Statistician reports 20,964 persons migrated from Australia for the quarter ended, June 30th. The total arrivals were 13,636, DRASTIC REDUCTIONS. SYDNEY, Aug. 15. So serious is the drop in the railway revenue that the New South Wales Government is considering further drastic economies, and will probably close a number of non-paying country lines as" well as approach the Arbitration Court for a reduction: of wages of all grades of employees. Tbe only alternative is wholesale dismissals. WHEAT POOL. SYDNEY, Aug. 15. The New South Wales Farmers Settlers Association Conference resol utioned almost unanimously in favour of the Federal, compulsory wheat pool along lines of the pool rejected h\ the Senate. FEDERAL CROPS. SYDNEY, Aug. 15. The Acting Premier. Mr Button- • Law, estimates that the' forthcoming wheat crop will be seventy million bushels. The wool clip will be worth approximately twenty millions sterling.