AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLV, Issue 10169, 26 July 1924, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

STRIKE THREAT REBUKED. (Per Press Association—Copyright.) (Received This Day, 10.5 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. In the Arbitration Court, Mr Justice Quick rebuked the Federated Engine Drivers and Firemen's Association of Australia for threatening a strike while its plaint was before the Court. His Honor said it would be inconsistent with the dignity and independence of the Court to proceed further, and he refrained from making a final award.

TERRIBLE TRAGEDY. Three children were burned to death when the house of a settler named Walker, in the Warraigui district, was totally destroyed. The father was setting traps on the hills at the time. The mother put the children to bed and left a lighted lamp beside them. She was working in a detached kitchen and failed to notice the fire until too late to enter the burning room. The wall was smashed in, but she was unable to save the children.

MASKED ROBBERS IN MELBOURNE. MELBOURNE, July 25. Another outbreak of armed robberies is reported from the suburbs. Early this morning a man was bailed up by three masked and armed men at Kew. They presented revolvers, and relieved him of £67. A young woman at Richmond was stopped by a masked man, who pointed a revolver at her. She screamed, and the man decamped without robbing her.

N.S.W. CRICKET ASSOCIATION. (Received This Day, 11.16 a.m.) • SYDNEY, This Day. The annual report and balance-sheet of the New South Wales Cricket Association shows a surplus for the year of £1693, against £9lB for the previous year. The surplus from inter-State cricket amounted to £4431. A STRIKE SETTLED. The strike at the Balmain Colliery Shas been settled, and the pits re-open ion Monday.