COMMONWEALTH CABLES.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 90, 23 April 1913, Page 5

COMMONWEALTH CABLES.

VICTORIA’S DRINK BILL. [By Electric Telegraph—CorYßir.m ] [United Press Association.] Melbourne, April 22. According to figures supplied by Mr John Vale, Victoria's drinking bill for 1912 totalled £5,151,215, or £3 16s Id per head of population, which is 2s Gd per head higher than in 1911, and the highest since 1901. He attributes the increase to the general prosperity and the long hours the publicans are allowed to keep open, compared with the hours of other trades. THE MATERNITY BONUS. Sydney, April 22. Following the arrest of two women, Dr. Erson has been arrested on a charge of conspiring with these women to defraud the Commonwealth of money payable under the Maternity Allowance Act. From investigations made by the Crown Law Department, it is understood that sensational developments are probable in connection with allegedly false bonus claims in various States. The Government issued a circular instructing the police to re-examine many claims. UNIVERSITY SENATORS. The first election of Senators under Mie amended University Act resulted in the re-election of the nine retiring Senators and one Progressive. The Progressives made determined efforts to upset the old regime, and ran seven candidates. ■ tfti, A UNION COMPANY CHARTER. The Union Company has chartered the Adelaide Company’s new steamer Willochra for the New Zealand trade. She will take up the running on May Ist. , ,

IMPRISONED STRIKER RELEASED (Received, 9.30 a.m.) Sydney, April 23. Hatton, who was sentenced in October, 1911, to three years’ imprisonment for attempting to derail a train in connection with the Lithgow strike riots, has been released. CHIA, THE CHINAMAN. Melbourne, April 23. Cliia, the Chinese, who attacked the Chinese Consul-General on March 21, pleaded not guilty to wounding with intent to murder,but'guilty of wounding with intent to do grevious bodily.. harm. The prosecution accepted Ihe plea, and Chia was remanded.