AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 18 November 1930, Page 6

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

SOLICITOR'S CLERK GAOLED

TOOK DOWN HOSTS OF PEOPLE

(Australian Press Association.)

SYDNEY, November 17,

Harry Fane Becher, aged 36, a solicitor’s clerk, was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment for conspiracy. A detective described him as “a menace to society.” He had taken down hosts of people for thousands of pounds. Fred Sherwood, aged 36, a solicitor, who was convicted with Becher, was released under the First Offenders Act, to he of good behaviour for two years. SWEPT BY FIRE. BRISBANE, November 17. A fire swept the main street, of Goomeri, and 'seven shops were destroyed, also five motor cars, five oil engines, and several motor c.vcl -s. The damages is estimated at many thousands of pounds. WOOL MARKET. GOOD SYDNEY COMPETITION. SYDNEY, November 17. At to-day wool sales, the offerings were 10,193 hales, of winch 9,123 were sold. In addition, 573 were disposed of privately. The average price of the wool auctioned last week was eight decimal three pence per pound. All the better class wools to-day ruled firm. Competition was general, with rather better Yorkshire support. Greasy merino made nineteen pence. FEDERAL STOCKS. RISING ON THE MARKET. SYDNEY, Nov. 17. The investment market here continues to strengthen. The operators traded with increased freedom to-day, the turnover being an unusually large one for a Monday. Commonwealth loans again provided the most significant development. Eleven issues shared in the enhancement, making gains from 2s 6d to 11s 3d. The quotations are now well above the depressed levels of a week ago.

The market finished firm, with the buyers unsatisfied. This is regarded as a happy augury for the ultimate success of the twenty-eight million conversion and redemption loan flotation. Bank shares were quiet to-day. A SYDNEY BLAZE. .'Received this day at 9 40 a.m.l SYDNEY, IJor. 18. Wilmot buildings in the city, were destroyed by fire early this morning. The damage is estimated at •pS'VDO sterling. In a rear building, within a few feet of the flames was a stock of ammonia. The building was situated in one of Sydney’s .worst danger areas and firemen from the city and suburban brigades did good work in preventing the flames from spreading.