NEWS FROM AUSTRALIA.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 51, 24 October 1912, Page 6

NEWS FROM AUSTRALIA.

( From the Sydney Daily Telegraph.) BREACH OF PROMISE CAGE. In an action claiming £I6OO compensation for breach of promise of marriage between Amy Anlezark, school teacher, and H. Clive Smith, marine engineer, the jury returned a verdict for the plaintiff for £298 10s, of which £73 10s represented loss of salary for six months, £25 expenses incurred in preparing trousseau, and £2OO compensation for wounded feelings, loss of prestige, etc. It was admitted that there had been an engagement to marry, that the plaintiff was willing, and that the defendant refused and neglected to marry her. The defence sought to bo established was that the plaintiff contracted a prior engagement with another ship’s officer. "CAPTAIN CO OK.” Mr O’Malley is seriously impressed with a suggestion that has been made to him that the Federal capital should be called “Captaincook,” written as one word. It ranks on a level with “Ladysmith.” He says his fancy has hitherto boon "Shakespeare.” "TRAM SCALERS. 'A- good deal of trouble is being taken by the tramway authorities in tho detection of people who scheme to avoid paying tiie.r fares. Special officers, in plain clothes, are detailed to watch for offenders, and since# May 12th last there have been 260 convictions. It is stated that only once has a -prosecution failed. That was in a matter which culminated in the Children’s Court, where the prosecuting officer could not identify the boy before the Court as the one whose name he had taken. It is said to be remarkable the care some people take in order to evade tire payment of a fare. One practice is for two "scalers” when travelling together, to work in conjunction. They board a car at opposite ends. The one to whom the conductor coiqes first buys bis ticket, and engages him in conversation until the latter has bad time to observe him closely enough to know him. again. Whilst the conductor collects his fares “scaler No. 1” runs along the car, and gives the ticket to Ins companion, who shows it on demand. The first "scaler” returns to his seat, and is recognised as a ticket holder by the conductor when making the next round. All this trouble is to save a penny or perhaps twopenny fare. Much has been done by the, abolition of footboard riding to check tho evasion of paying fares. Formerly “scalers” would often just hold on to the footboard for a few hundred yards, drop off, and catch another tram. Now they must take their seats within. The regulation, however, cuts both ways, since the additional crowding inside the cars tends to assist the "scaler” there. The fines range np to £2.

A SENSELESS STRIKE. About 450 nv?n were thrown out of work at the State coal mine, Wontliaggi (Victoria), owing to a strike of wheelers. A wheeler put in a late appearance at the pit pony stables, and when reprimanded expressed his opinion of the man in charge. Ho was dismissed, and the other wheelers refused to continue working till he had been reinstated. It was considered probable that the -matter would be fixed up. The miners were incensed with tire wheelers for throwing the mine idle. GENERAL. On the 20th of last month a constable, while walking along York-stro'ct found a roll of five-pound notes. They remained unclaimed for several days; then a drover from Adaville (Q.) put in a claim. His story having inquired into and proved, tire money was returned to him early in October. As a sequel to arrests made at a billiard saloon, 59 men appeared at the Balmain Police Court, charged with offences against the Games, Wagers, and Betting Act.