AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 238, 13 February 1911, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

OPIUM SMUGGLING,

By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Brisbane, February 11. The amended Customs Act providing for imprisonment instead of fine for smuggling opium is operating, and a Chinese on Thursday Island has been sentenced to six months' imprisonment. A RICH GOLD REEF. Adelaide, February 11. A small reef discovered at Pine Creek is estimated to carry 1000 oz. of gold to the ton. THE MOODIE CASE. Melbourne, February 11. Analysis revealed no trace of poisoning in the body of Stephen Moodie. [The elder Miss Moodie has been chained with having poisoned her mother and two sisters, and the body of her father, who died a few years ago, was exhumed for examination.]

KILLED BY LIGHTNING. Melbourne, February 11. Five men were struck by lightning while beneath a tree in the Exhibition Gardens. One, named Andrew Johnson, wa.s killed instantly. John Anderson was seriously injured, and the others were knocked down but unhurt. THE NEW DEFENCE FORCE. Melbourne, February 11. A special school for candidates deserious of becoming instruction officers will be opened at Portsea on March 1. FEDERAL LAND TAX. Melbourne. February 11. The Land Tax Commissioner declares that no extension of time will be granted for making returns. THE BULLFINCH. London, February 10. Westralia United Goldfields Company has been registered with a capital of £750,000, to acquire, amongst other properties, several Bullfinch claims. THE EASTERN. Brisbane, February 11. The finding of the Marine Board on the stranding of the Eastern states that it wa.s due to over-confidence on the part of the pilot in navigating at full speed when the Heads were obscured by rain and squally weather. Nobody else was implicated. The board recommended that the pilot's certificate lie suspended for three months. VICTORIAN BORROWING. Melbourne. February 11. The State Treasurer is arranging to float locally a loan of £500,000 at 3% per cent., with a minimum of 98'/;. The Government intends to carry out a policy of works involving the expenditure of £2,000,000.