AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8315, 19 December 1906, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

A JUDGMENT REVERSED. Received December 18, 11.19 p.m. SYDNEY, December 18. The High Court has reversed the, judgment of ttoe Supreme Court Judge, under which Robertson, s barrister, was awarded £IOO damages for assault and forcible detention ncainst the Feny Company. Robertson entered the wharf, but missing the steamer, demanded to be allowed to repass the turnstile without further payment. This was refused. He eventually foroed his way out. The Full Court refused a new trial. The Company then appealed to the High Court, which ruled that Robertson, entering the wharf, was on private property, and could leave only by complying with the company's rules.

THE FEDERAL ELECTIONS. Received December 18, 9.42 a.m. rMELBOURNE, Deo. 18. The final returns for Eahuca give Mr Cluyton, an Anti-Socialist, n majority of three over Mr Kennedy, aj Ministerialist. This reduces Mr Deakin'd following to 16. Received December 18,£9.422 a.m. SYDNEY, December lb. Mr Kidston, Premier of Queensland, attributes the setback Labour Sustained in the election in the Northern State to a want of acoord between the Extreme and Moderate seotions. /■*,

THE BUILDING STRIKE. Received December 18, 8.30 a.m. MELBOURNE, Deo. 18, The bnildiug strike has practically ended as a result of the mediatory efforts of Mr Bent and Mr Maokay. A conference of employers and employee* isto be held, with a Supreme Uourfc Judge ae chairman, to fix the hour and wages. SHIPPING TROUBLE; Received December 18, 8.30 a.m. SYDNEY, December *B. Dissatisfaction exists amongst members of tbe Merchant Shipping Guild over the Arbitration Court award. It is claimed that the award has made little if any improvement in the position. The secretary, however, denies the rumour of an intended strike.

HOT WEATHER, >,. BATHING FATALITIES. ' DISASTROUS BUSH FIRES. Received December 18, 8.57 ge.m. SrpNEY, Deoember 18. At 26 stations in the country the thermometer registered over 100, the highest temperature beiDg 110 at Brewarriuß. Tbe hot weather is bringing its usual quota £of bathing fatalities, tbe drowning of five boys being recorded yesterday, including two at Blaokbeaifa. £ The bosh fires in the Wilcanuia distriot have been got under, but not before the flames had swept a wide area. The Billa Station lost 80,000 acres, " Hilfera 300, and Marfield 260 square miles of grass. COOLER 'WEATHER. Received Deoember 18, 11.22 p.m. SYDNEY, Deoember 18, A cool southerly change has set in with useful rain.