AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8532, 10 September 1907, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

SYDNEY CARRIERS' DEMANDS. TROUBLE THREATENED. Received September 9, 9.56 a.m. SYDNEY, September 9. Trouble is threatened in the carrying trade over the question of working hours. A meeting of light carriers resolved to cease work on Saturday next if their demands are not conceded. The heavy carriers are to meet tonight to consider the situation. TIMBER DUTIES. Received September 9, 9.56 a.m. MELBOURNE, September 9. A meeting of the Sawmillers' Association endorsed the increases in the timber duties with regard to butter box timber. The meeting also favoured a reciprocal agreement with New Zealand to admit timber of certain measurement free into the Commonwealth rather than have a rebate on butter boxes. THE RYDALMERE MELEE. FURTHER PARTICULARS. Received September 9, 9.52 a.m. SYDNEY, September 9. The constable surprised the men in the sacristy attached to the Kydalmere Catholic Church Hall. In the course of a struggle in the hall, the altar and church furnishings were spattered with blood. The wounded men are publicans. Their injuries are not serious; and it is anticipated will only .prove to be flesh wounds. (A cablegram published, yesterday morning, stated that a constable, suspecting, it is alleged, that sly Sunday drinking was going on, entered a building situated in the grounds of the Catholic Church at Rydalmere, and surprised a number of men. A melee ensued during which a revolver was taken from the constable and went off, the bullet striking a local publican in the region of the heart. His condition is serious. The constable received a rough handling, and was removed to the hospital, where it was found that several stitches were required in a wound in his head. Three persons were arrested.) A SAFE ROBBED. Received September 9, 8.30 a.m. MELBOURNE, September 9. A safe at the Melbourne Coffee Palace was robbed. Between £l5O and £2OO is missing. It is supposed a duplicate key was used.

STATE ELECTIONS. HEAVY POLLING EXPECTED. VOTE SPLITTING RIFE. Received September 10, 12.30 a.m. SYDNEY, September 9. The final rallies took place tonight, prior to the State elections. Heavy polling is expected to-morrow. Vote splitting is rife in a considerable number of electorates, and makes the result difficult to forecast. Mr J. H. Carruthers, Premier, estimates that of the ninety members to be returned, fifty-seven at least will be found to support the Liberal party; possibly sixty-seven may be returned. The Labour party, as usual, is well organised, and confident. Several Independents consider that they have good chances. Some surprises are expected. Great interest centres in the local option poll. The campaign is being conducted with great vigour and earnestness. The party's expectations are high for the reduction of licenses, and hopeful for carrying nolicense right out in a few electorates. THE CHALLENGER. Received September 10, 1.1 a m. SYDNEY, September 9. H.M.S. Challenger has sailed from Jervois Bay for New Zealand.