AUSTRALIAN ITEMS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 109, 24 September 1912, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN ITEMS.

THE ENTERPRISING BURGLAR. A daring robbery was effected at the residence of .Judge Fitzhanlinge, at Pennant .Hills, on Monday night, September !). Money to t>he value of £4O was stolen from an upstairs bedroom. The first intimation of the theft was made as a domestic servant went to her bedroom between !) and 10 p.m. The bottom sash of her window was up, and other suspicious indications led to the discovery that money had been taken from a small bag in a drawer. It recurred to the girl's mind that earlier in the evening, while the family were .at dinner, someone remarked 011 the sound of footsteps upstairs, but the idea was treated lightly. The thief must have climbed over the lower roofs at the back of the house, and thus reached the window of the bedroom.

WATTLE DAY IN HOBATtT. Wattle day was celebrated in Hobart for the first time the other day, under the auspices of the Australian Natives' Association. The idea "caught on'' in a most remarkable manner, and the initial celebration was more successful than the most sanguine of the promoters had anticipated. Wattle blossom was to be Been everywhere in the city, and even floated at the mast-head of vessels in port. The A.N.A. sent wattle to decorate live State schools in the city, and also presented the Commonwealth flag to each.

A number of 'ladies, including Miss Maggie Moore and the members of her company, sold wattle in the streets, on behalf of the consumptive sanatorium, and gathered in over £l2O in addition to fifty special contributions of a guinea each given by business firms and others to the sanatorium. Miss Maggie Moore's hat was sold by auction, and, after spirited bidding, was knocked down to Mr. Hawkins, of the Hobart Exchange, for £5. The buyer gave it back to the donor, who announced that she would sell it again during the evening performtnce.

NOVEL TUG-OF-WAR. A novel test of strength was seen at the Stadium, Sydney, last week. At one end of a stout rope wore twelve men comprising a tug-of-war team. At the other end was attached a horse. The men were on the stage, their feet firmly fixed in wooden racks, and below them, on a patch of peat, stood their opponent, u draught horse known as Bay Prince. When the word "Go!" was given the men commenced to pull, and the liorse began to tug. Five hundred people applauded the horse, but in vain. The dozen picked pullers dragged it towards the stage, and in spite of the efforts of the young man at his head, Bay Prince' »ould not keep his ground. Two men were taken off the rope by the chivalrous captain of the team, but still the horse was overpowered. He received great encouragement from the spectators, made one great effort more, and then, after keeping the rope taut for a few seconds, threw up the sponge. The band struck lip a lively air, but Bay Prince walked away dejectedly in the direction of the dressing rooms.

FARMER'S TRAGIC END, A sad discovery was made on Sunday, September 8. in a house in Quarry Ilul, occupied by Mr. Henry Lowrie, a retired farmer, who for some years past had been living there by himself. Lowrie had not been seen since Monday, and 011 Sunday Mr. .las. Keck, a neighbor, called to investigate matters. He entered by the back door and found Mr. Lowrie, who was over 70 years of age, lying dead on the kitchen floor. The body was fully clothed, and apparently deceased had got caught in one of the heavy showers which fell in the early part of the week, as his clothing was still damp. Death ihad evidently occurred several days previously. in deceased's pockets were bank deposit receipts for over £2OOO, and his purse contained about £ls in cash. NORTHERN TERRITORY. Further appointments are to lie mad< to positions in the Commonwealth service in the Northern Territory. Applications have been invited by the Secretary to the Department of External Affairs (Mr. Atlee Hunt) from persons i|uali!ied for appointment as Government secretary ami accountant, at a salary of £450 a year. Organising ability as well ns good accountancy knowledge is required. lVitions in connection with the survey of the proposed extension of the railway from Pine Creek to the Katharine River are vacant as follows: —Two assistant engineers, skilled in railway survey, £450 a year each; two field assistants, expert in the use of the theodolite and level, £273 a year each; two foremen, with previous railway experience. 15s a day each; two railway survey draughtsmen. 15s a day each; eight chainmen, used to axe work, each Is 5d mi hour for 44 hours a week; and two cooks, each £.' i 10s for a week of seven days. "With regard to cooks, it is a condition that they must be able to bake bread.

YOT'XG SELECTOR SHOT. As' the result of the coroner's inquest, 'Tames Joseph Casey has been committed for trial at Cooiiamble (X.S.W.), for the murder of Frederick William Koenig, who died from gunshot; wounds. There was put in as evidence a statement made by Carey's wife 10 the police. According to this. Koenig called at their house, and Casey asked Koenig to write a leltcr for him to a stock agent. Casey suddenly accused koenig of having written letters to Mrs. Casey. Koenig replied. "I never wrote a letter to your wife in my life." Casey retorted: "Yes, you did. and you are cunning enough to have them typed. 1 give you five minutes to gel out of this. If you don't, I'll shoot.'' Koenig said. "Don't be foolish, Jim." Casey went out in a great rage, and returned with a gun, and shot Koenig as the latter stood up after finishing writing Casey's letter. Koenig was a well-known and popular selecl or, aged 27 years.