IN AUSTRALIA.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 47, 1 July 1913, Page 5

IN AUSTRALIA.

A FEW SENSATiQNS. FLOODS SN SYDNEY. [By Electric Telkcjhai'h—Copykight] [United Press (Association.] Sydney, Juno 30. A strong south-east gale and rough seas are prevailing. There wae a downpour in the city this afternoon, one of the heaviest ever experienced. The streets were transformed into rivers and low-lying areas were flooded. Record falls occurred intho South Coast districts. There were eleven inches of rain at Bega, and the rivers are flooding. With occasional breaks, there has been wet weather since Easter. The farmers are despondent and are unable to work the land. The roads everywhere are in a deplorable condition. Telegraphic communication is badly dislocated.

ROBBERY UNDER ARMS. Sydney, June 30. Roy Cox and Lawrence have been committed for trial on charges of breaking and entering the bouse of Captain Cox on April 24 and stealing jewellery valued at £3OO, and also on June 19 with assaulting and robbing Miss Cox of a ring valued at £IOO.

Statements made to the police by each were read. Cox indicated that he adopted Lawrence's suggestion to commit the robberies. Lawrence delared that Cox told him that he waß committing robberies from his father in order to keep himself in money. Together they arranged the two robberies with which they are charged. Lawrence further stated that the sticking up of Clegg was suggested by Cox, who demanded money and fired his revolver while Lawrence held the horse.

THE CAFE RAID.

Melbourne, June 30. The cafe raids resulted from letters received by the police at headquarters, supplemented by information obtained from special agents who participated in the cafe doings. They ascertained that large quantities of high-priced unlicensed liquors were consumed. The names of those pressent were secured by the police, and include a number of people of both sexes. The Commissioner of Police states that an ugly feature of the business was the introduction of American graft. A number of police on duty in the vicinity of the raided houses were watched, and were seen participating in the feasting, instead of doing their duty. Men of that class would not suit him. There will"probably bo vacancies in the force in a few days.

AX ANONYMOUS LETTER. DIVULGES THE GOINGS-ON. (Received 10.50 a.m.) Melbourne, July 1. Amongst the letters received by the Police Commissioner'prior to the raid, me expressed the hope that he would not be bribed, and declared that one cafe was a notorious den of immorality and drinking, and was frequented by masked dancers, women smokers, uul actresses tossing for sovereigns, ivhile choice wines were supplied at Lss to 2os- per bottle. The Commissioner hopes ho will not be compelled to publish the names, as it would be unkind.

GOOD TIME FOR THE POLICE. (Received 10.40 a.m.) In connection with the raids, it its ;tated that police were standing out•;ide listening to the music, with drinks and supper standing on the counter for their delectation. THE ST. IVES TRAGEDY. OFFER OF £SOOO BAIL REFUSED. At the Central Criminal Court (Sydney) on Saturday, 21st ult., before Mr Justice Pring and a ]ury, the trial was concluded of Thomas Edwin Brown, charged with the wilful murder of Edwin .Stewart Hickey, a sergeant of police, at St. Ives, on May 1.

At 10 a.m. the jury, which had been looked up all night, was brought into court, and the foreman announced that there was not the slightest chanco of an being arrived at. Mr Harris (for the Crown) asked for the ease to be stood over to the next sitting of the Central Criminal Court, the prisoner to be remanded in his former custody. Mr Abigil (for the prisoner: I wish to make an application for bail. His Honor: Do you consent to that, Mr Harris? Mr Harirs: No, your Honor. His Honor (to Mr Abigail): I could not entertain the application. Mr Abigail : My client has been seven weeks in prison, and his trial has now lasted two days. Tho jury has disagreed. lam prepared to furnish bail to the extent of £SOOO. Tho next Court does not sit until September. 1 submit that it will be for your

Honor to consider whether the pris- ! oner is likely to appear to take lub trial. If hail was made in £SOOO, T submit that it would he substantial justice to grant him bail. His Honor: Bail is refused. Prisoner is remanded in his former custody.