AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 December 1921, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

THE case. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyrigt*. Received Dec. 4, 5.5 p.m. Sydney, Dec. 4. While under examination by the Wheat Commission, Georgeson is reported to have said he paid the election expenses of Air. Cann (State Minister foil Mines) when he was candidate for the Federal Parliament. Mr. Cann gives the statement an emphatic denial.—* Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. UNIVERSITY REFORMS. Sydney, Dec. 3. The University committee appointed, recently co inquire into the degeneration of the University spirit, reported- that it was due,, among other causes, to thet enormous increase in the number of students through the medium of exhibition bursary awards, the drift during the war, and the crowding of the curricula which was speeding up competitions and breeding fear of failure. A number of reforms were suggested, chiefly in the direction of encouraging sporting facilities. RESIGNATION OF PARTY LEADER. Melbourne. Dec. 3. 7' Gregory has resigned the deputyleadership of the Country Party owing Ito disagreement with members over the iagreement the party made with Mr. jHughes respecting an adjournment of the blouse of Representatives prior to Christmas. MOUNT MULLIGAN DISASTER. » Brisbane, Dec. 3. | The Mount Mulligan Commission has reported that the cause of the disaster was the firing of an explosive in the top level of the block. The explosive wan not placed in the shot-hole, and was carried and stored underground in a careless manner.. There was no adequate: safeguard to render dust innocuous aa required by the regulations. SUICIDE OF ALLEGED MURDERER. Sydney, Dec. 3. At the inquest on Copeland, who waa* arrested on a charge of the murder oft Marie Ward, and was found in great? 1 agony in his cell, dying later in the bos* i pital, a verdiet was returned that ha murdered Marie Ward and then coiiyniti ted suicide by taking poison hidden :irf his boot.