Australia.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 300, 28 May 1915, Page 5

Australia.

INCIDENTS AT RABAUL. GEN KRAI j AUSTRALIAN ITEMS. . Sydney, May 27. Sergeant l.aseron, who was wounded in tin' Dardanelles, was a member of Sir Douglas Mawson's expedition in the capacity of assistant scientist. Lcbbeus Ilordern, brother of Anthony Hordorn, ail expert aeroplanist, will depart by the outgoing mail and will offer the services of himself arid a Viekers. machine, which he will purchase upon arrival in England, to the Royal Aerial Corps, either for naval or military work. Melbourne, May Colonel Irving, commandant of South Australia, has been appointed' successor to Colonel Legge, as chief of the General Stall. In the House, referring to the alleged misappropriation of Red Cross goods at Rabaul, Mr. Anstey said that though a private made charges, and was alleged to have signed confessions, they were untrue. One was posted to a Sydney newspaper, and the other to Mr. I'carce, but neither arrived, nor was Coionel Holmes called on to produce a copy. Mr. Anstey claimed that Colonel Ramaciotti, chairman of the court, had failed in his duty, and asked for a further inquiry. Mr. Fisher said that in his opinion there was neglect of duty on the part of the court-martial. The whole proceedings were unsatisfactory, and the matter could not be allowed to remain stationary. As the result of the announcement that the Federal Government is prepared to utilise locally-made aeroplanes at the Point Cook Aviation School .a number of firms iiave turned their attention to the new industry. As the outcome the first Australian-made biplane has been completed, and will shortly be seen in flight, while six other engines are on order. The chief difficulty is the necessity to import the wood frameworks. Sydney, May 27. The Bishop of Riverina, referring to the German atrocities, said that the world knew that if the Germans discovered anything more fiendish than corrosive gaseS they would employ it. Dealing with such infamy by reprisals was consistent with the Christian calling, which had incidentally to preserve existence and also to punish a groat crime. The first list of children's Empire Day collections totals £2350 from 251 schools. There aro three thousand schools in the State. Perth, May 27. . At a trading within the Empire meeting of the Perth Chamber of Commerce the president stated that Australia was still importing goods made by German companies under British names. He intended to propose a motion for submission to the London and Australian Chambers asking the British Government to call a conference of business experts, one delegate from each Dominion, to work out a preferential trade scheme. Adelaide, May. 27. A girl serving in a tobacconist's shop snatched a little Union..Tack from a soldier's coat when he entered to buy cigarettes, tori! up the flag, threw it in his face, and refused to serve him. 1 The soldier told his comrades, who reported the affair to the police. A crowd gathered and stoned the shop. The occupants escaped, and the crowd pursued them, missed their quarry, and returned and wrecked the shop^ Madame Melba, by auctioneering tlie seats at her concert in aid of the Poles, realised £582. LOOTING AT RABAUL. Received May 28, 1.30 a.m. Melbourne, May 27. In the House, Mr. Anstey, referring to 1 the looting at Rabaul, flung further serious charges agains* oiiieers. He described the recent court-martial as a premeditated farce, and alleged not oi'ly jobbery. b"t for"cry The gm'.t l.uK" cf the loot came by tiif. Berrina. Vr. Cook promised an exhaustive inquiry.

DEFENCE CONTRACTS. CHAKGE AGAINST WELL-KNOWN MAN. Received May 27, 0.15 p.m. Sydney, May 27. In reference to yesterday's cable, M.\ Arthur Kidman, in a statement published in the press, protests vehemently against the department permitting the publication of the matter, more especially as the matter is sub judice, and the papers cannot give his side of the question. He points out that only after failure for months to obtain the payment of moneys due to him, and after lie had issued a writ for nearly £OOOO and notified the department about the issue of writs for about £SOOO more was it that the proceedings in question were instituted. He adds the public will bo astounded when they learn the treatment lie received. In spite of the matters in question, ho is still by far the largest contractor in foodstuffs for the military forces. (Yesterday's message referred to stated that in connection with the defence contracts allegations, High Coiirt indictments had been issued by the AttorneyGeneral (Mr. Hughes) against Arthur Kidman, of Sydney, alleging forgery and uttering certain documents, i.e., tenders for military supplies; and against the same defendant, together with Major Arthur George O'Donnell and Sergeant Leslie, of .Sydney, alleging conspiracy to cheat and defraud the. Commonwealth of large sums of money in connectbn with the supplies of goods for the defence forces of the Commonwealth, and bv procuring that the Commonwealth should pay excessive prices for such goods. The indictment alleged four conspiracy o'fences, and against Arthur Kidman two charges of forgery and uttering between August, 1014, and the current month.)