THE COMMONWEALTH.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17321, 6 December 1921, Page 9

THE COMMONWEALTH.

NAVAL ESTIMATES. (IBy Cable—Press Awooiation—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) MELBOURNE, December 5. In the House of Representatives attempts to reduce the naval estimates failed. AERIAL MAIL SERVICE. \ PERTH, December 5. The first aerial mail service in Austialia was inaugurated on Sunday, when three.machines set out with mails and passengers, and arrived at Geraldton, 250 miles distant, in three and a half hours. They are expected to reach Derby, in West Kimberley, on Friday, allowing a day's stay at each landing. SEVERE HAILSTORM. SYDNEY, December 4. _ A severe hailstomr- in the 1 Boganbrij Morec, Gunnedah, and Tamworth districts caused serious damage to wheat and fruit crops. Jagged lumps of ice thrashed standing wheat, smashed windows, damaged property, and killed poultry. SHEARERS' DEMANDS REFUSED. MELBOURNE December 5. The Arbitration Court has refused, amongst others, the shearers' demand for a 44-hour week. WANDERING CRIMINALS. SYDNEY, December 6. The "Daily Telegraph," in a speoial article'on wandering criminals, advocates reciprocity between Australia #nd New Zealand, with the object of acquainting the police authorities of each country when undesirables are paying a visit. It recommends an interchange of detectives between Australasian, capitals, with, a view to identifying the chief criminals. The article states:—"New Zealand has a habit of letting criminals out of the county. Although heavy sentences are recorded, the Prisons Board there may revise the sentences and release the prisoners u they undertake a sea voyage, which usually terminates at Sydney. The Sydney police are ignorant until the newcomer brings off a new job. The New Zealand criminal is as good as are made, but there is quite a good stock on hand." BROKEN HILL MINES RESTARTING. (Received December 6th, 10.30 p.m.) SYDNEY, December 5 Three Broken Hill mines are resuming operations, after a long-extended idleness. They will find work ror several hundred men.