AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 42, 14 February 1912, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Sydney, February 13. The first day the wireless station was open to the public no business was received.

Alexander Handcock has been arrested near Armidalo on a charge of the murder of Pol,sen at Uralla. It will ho alleged against him that while in a hotel bar he quarrelled with Poison oVcr a girl and fatally shot him with a revolver, afterwards escaping to the bus!).

An island steamer brings news of a storm which swept the island of Joluit in the middle of January, high seas breaking over the land in many place/). The Government hospital, ncarihg completion, was destroyed. Edward Capelle, a well known planter, who sailed from the island with a crow of five natives, is missing.

The Minister for Defence has fixed the ago for cadets joining the naval .college at thirteen.

The Italian ship Amphitrite, which saile/J for Monte Video on September ISth from Newcastle, is believed to ho lost.

Further heavy general rains have greatly improved crops prospects.

The Harbour Trust is considering a scheme for overcoming congestion at the wharves by the employment of motor lorries on an extensive scale. Melbourne, February 13.

On Saturday a deputation asked Mr Flowers for more effective scientific teaching on temperance in schools. The Minister replied that to some extent temperance was already on the syllabus. He would not allow members of the Good Templar Lodges to visit the schools, but the question of appointing qualified men- from the Department might he considered. Ohidley, author of tjie notorious hook, was fined for obstructing a pathway. Clad in a singlet arid a kilt ho paraded the streets' selling his hook,, a large crowd following. He said ho wore the garb so that the light air could penetrate his skin. He elected to go to gaol. Fremantle, February 13.

The fire on the steamer Ehelwolf broke out in the bunkers on January 19th, when 1100 miles from Bunbury. It was decided to put back but the smoke and fumes were so dense that the crow were unable to properly tackle the working of the ship. With, blankets round their heads and wot sponges over their mouths the crew managed to check the flames. Owing to having to use half-burned coal the steamer was? unable to make much headway. She was still burning on arrival in port. The damage is serious.