AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 February 1922, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

9 / COOGEE SURF TRAGEDY. By Telegraph.—- Fraas Assn —CopyrlgM. Sydney, Feb. 8. j The official story of the Coogee surf ? tragedy has been forwarded to the Governor with a recommendation that Chalmers t be awarded the Albert Medal. ; GREGORY’S RETIREMENT. Sydney, Feb. 8. j The cricketer Gregory announces that , yesterday’s match was his last appearance ' in big cricket. He gives as a reason that [ he cannot afford to devote the time re- , quired to cricket. STANDARDISATION SCHEMES. Sydney, Feb. 8. The conference of engineering bodies agreed to preliminaries for the creation of ' an Australian Engineering Sandardisation Society. The work of preparing standards will be done by expert sub-committees on l a Federal basis. FLOODS IN QUEENSLAND. Brisbane, Feb. 8. Heavy rains flooded the Longreach district and caused severe losses of cattle and sheep. It is estimated that 100,000 sheep perished between Longreach? and Winton. THE YARRA ELECTION. Melbourne, Feb. 9. Three nominations have been received for the Yarra vacancy, namely: Andrew Davidson (National), James Scullen (Labor), and Frederick Smyth (Independent). FALL IN WAGES. Sydney, Feb. 9. Vhe wages of gas employees have been reduced 6s weekly, in accordance with a mutual agreement for wages to rise or fall according to the figures of the Commonwealth statistician. MYSTERIOUS FIRES. Sydney, Feb. 9. The fire brigades and police are baffled by mysterious outbreaks of fire at a house at Darling Point, Sydney. Fourteen distinct outbreaks occurred within twentyfour hours, the police and firemen being compelled to remain on the job in readiness. The dwelling is a ramshackle place, set in a neglected garden. Ghosts have been suggested by some, but a close analysis of the furnishings is expected to reveal that mischievous people have saturated the place with a solution containing phosphorus, the evaporating of which is causing the flames.

PLETHORA OF IRON ORE. Sydney, Feb. 9. The steel works at Newcastle are overstocked with iron ore, and quarrying for ore at Iron Knob has accordingly been suspended. Four hundred men are affected. The directors estimate a reduction of 33 per cent, in wages and coal costs imperative to enable the company to compete with oversea rivals.