AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 141, 1 November 1912, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

ALLEGED SPIES,

By Cable—Press Association—Copyright,

Melbourne, October 31.

It is reported that two Germans were noticed recently in the neighborhood of Prospect, near Sydney. Their actions were suspicious, and they were shadowed and arrested, wTiile making plot surveys of the natural features, but were subsequently released. In the existing state of the law there is no power to arrest persons for espionage unless they are surprised while taking maps or surveys on a military reserve. Three Japanese with a pian table and military survey instruments were discovered near Barranjoey. When questioned, only one spoke English imperfectly, but investigations subsequently revealed that they were Japanese officers speaking English well; one was of high rank, and had been through the Russo-Japanese war. All have since departed for Japan.

MASTER BAKERS' CONFERENCE, Melbourne, October 31.

At the Federal Master Bakers' Conference Mr. Allen, o,f New Zealand, was present. Speaking on the proposed combined action to reduce, the expenses of bakers, a Sydney representative declared that the greatest comfiine that ever existed was the Trades Hall. The master bakers of Sydney had to take oil their hats and say "Workmen, would you mind coming to work to-morrow."

A VOLCANIC DISTURBANCE. Sydney, October 31. The Tofua has arrived. She brings new 9 of extraordinary volcanic disturbances at Nuiafou. Thirty volcanoes arc erupting in this island simultaneously. The topography has been altered by tlie eruptions. An inland lake has dropped two feet below normal, and one side of the island has risen three feet.

■STOLEN JEWELLERY RECOVERED, Adelaide, October 31.

In connection with the robbery at Messrs. Harris and Scarfe's, jewellers, deteotives have discovered three brief bags full of jewellery, valued at between £IOOO and £2OOO, on the roof of the lift well.

THE ÜBIQUITOUS HAT PIN. Sydney, October 31

A further batch of sixty-one women was fined 5s and costs (6s) for wearing protruding hat-pins.