AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 18, 21 January 1905, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(By Mail)

SHOCKING NEGLECT OF A CHILD. MELBOURNE, January 13. A shocking case was inquired into at the Prahran Court this morning, when a boy, aged 9 years, who said that he j resided with his parents in Essex-street, Prahran, das charged with being a neglected cbiid. Sergeant Carter said that he found the lad wandering in Greville-street in a fearfully dirty condition. In the Sergeant's experience he had never seen nor heard of a lad in such a state before. The poor child was taken into the watchhouse, and the police had to literally steep him in hot phenyle before they could make him anything like clean. The clothes he was wearing had to be burnt. Plain-Olothes Constable Dainty said that he had visited the house where this boy lived. He had never seen such a dirty hovel. The fault was all on one side, as the father was a really hardworking man. The mother was a sottish drunkard. The Bench, at the request of the father, adjourned the case for one week to enable the boy to be sent away to the care of his aunt. A SENSATIONAL ARREST. MELBOURNE. January 13. The nurse, Edith Fillen, who was arrested yesterday on a charge of murdering a newly-born male child by drowning it in Merri Creek, was before the Court to-day. The accused was neatly dressed. When asked if she objected to a remand being granted, she replied, "I am innocent of the charge preferred against mc." The remand was granted. The manner of Mrs Fillen's arrest was somewhat sensational. She attended at Russell-street station yesterday to lodge a complaint against a constable for wrongful arrest for drunkenness on an occasion when the sergeant at the station refused to accept the charge against her, believing that she was merely hysterical. While she was making the complaint the. officer in charge recognised Mrs Fillen as the woman wanted in connection with the Merri Creek murder. Mrs Cooper, who had seen the perambulator with the baby taken to the creek, and returned empty, was summoned, and she recognised the accused as the stranger in charge of the perambulator.

A PROTEST AGAINST SECTARIANISM.

ADELAIDE, January 13The president of the Port Pirie branch of the labour party (Mr P. M. Daley), who has held that office since the inception of the branch, has tendered his resignation, and in the letter in which he gives his reasons for doing so he says that in politics he is a socialist, and, while he makes sacrifices of health, time, and money to strengthen the bonds of friendship and brotherhood betwee.n man and man, there are others of the party endeavouring at tlie same time to create in the same hearts ''that foul, festering cancer sectarianism —the most diabolical curse which can befall a nation." Mr Daley contends that if he remains in the party the trouble will become one of Orange and Green, and he would never be guilty "of forcing such strife. "It behoves every right-thinking, conscientious Protestant." he writes, 'to take hold of this matter before it takes hold of the people, and. wipe it right out. If this is not done, then God help progress, happiness, and Christianity."' The resignation was not accepted, and Mr Daley will, be asked by a deputation to reconsider his decision. BUSH FIRES AT THE MIXES. QUEENSTOWN, January 13. The bush fires, fanned by a strong wind, started again this morning at the n£rth end of Mount Lyell, spreading to the Lyell Company property. Several huts, which were unoccupied, and the dwelling of one of the men emploed, were destroyed. At one time the. fire again surrounded the managere's house, but as far as can be ascertained it escaped. It is the only building left on the mine. The wives and children of Messrs Morley and Sharp, who have been looking after the property since mining operations ceased, had a very trying time, being obliged to take refuge in one of the tunnels for safety soon after the breaking out of the lire. The flames travelled across the mountain until they got dangerously close to the Lyell Blocks, and all hands were called out from the mine and the mill to protect the buildings, of which the mine manager's house and offices were in the greatest danger. Fortunately, however, with the large amount of help available, the fire was kept under control.

THE ORIGIN OF THE BUSH FIRES.

GUNDAGAI (N.S.W), January 13

At the monthly meeting of the. Pastures Protection Board yesterday, considerable discussion took place regarding the origin of the recent bush fires, in order that steps might be taken to reduce the rfsk of their recurrence.

! The opinion of Mr Hamlet, the Government analyst, regarding the dangers attending the use of phosphorus for the destruction of rabbits was read to the 'board. The inspector said that phosphorus was inflammable, but was only dangerous when used carelessly. If properly dissolved before use, experiments convinced him that bush fires would not start from it.

Director Quilter (Junee) said he had been burnt out so many times already that he did not. intecd laying phosphorus in the summer month*. Experience taught, him that this class of bait was a fruitful source of bush fires. Since he would not use phosphorus himself, he opposed aDV action by the board to compel people to do so. Barley grass was particularly inflammable, and if phosphorus wa.> deposited amongst it. a fire was always liable to start. As a general thing, phosphorus caused the bulk of the fires, which had been of more frequent occurrence since the advent of the rabbit.

This view was supported by the chairman (Mr Byrne) and Directors Arragon and Clout, the latter stating that he had seen phosphorus ignite after being incorporated with pollard.

James McGovern, a Wakefield-street baker, who was going to work at 11.30 o'clock last night, tried to board a tramcar iv Karangahape-road while it was in motion. He stepped on the footboard on the wrong side, and was struck by a centre pole and thrown back upon the roadway. The car was stopped, and twp tramway inspectors went to his assistance. He was taken in the car to Dr. Knight's residence. It was then found that he had received a severe shaking, end he was taken hone m _ nb.