AUSTRALIAN ITEMS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1209, 18 August 1911, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN ITEMS.

STATE'S INTEREST CLAIM. The Acting-Treasurer (Mr. Cnrmicliael) has (says the Sydney "Herald") been confirmed by legal advice in his opinion that the Commonwealth is due to pay the State interest on tho value of tho transferred properties based 011 tho average rate payable on tho whole public debt, if not 011 the current rate of interest being paid at the jircseut time. When he was discussing- the matter with the Acting-Fed-eral Treasurer (Mr. Frnzer), the question arose as to whether, under tho Constitution, interest could be charged as from the vesting, of tho property, and, consequently, whether the Commonwealth could of itself fix the rate as being part of tho mode of compensation referred to in the Constitution. A report by the Crown law officials was sought, and also outside advice. In a complete opinion delivered by leading constitutional counsel, the decision is given very emphatically that interest must bo included in tho compensation referred to, and that tho interest charged starts from tho date of the vesting of the properties. In the second place, as to the method of compensation, which has been placed m the hands of tho Parliament, counsel are equally decided in the opinion that, although tho Parliament can pass an Act to enable the compensation (that is to say, the capital value and the interest) to be determined, the Act itself could not detormine either • item in this compensation; the powers of the Act would bo to refer the question of amount of compensation to bo determined either by the High Court or by any other judicial tribunal created under the Act. Tho extent of the Act would be to enable compensation to he determined by some competent tribunal. Tho section on which this is grounded does not say that the componsation shall bo determined by tho Act, but that tho compensation shall be determined • under • tho Act, and. thus clearly requires tho hearing and judicial determination by some competent tribunal appointed under the' Act. The tribunal owuld dccido after consideration of the facts. ' BIG THEATRICAL COMBINE.

Speaking on the amalgamation of the imprests of Sir Knpert Clarke and Mr. Clyde Meynell with those of the •>. L. Williamson management', Jlr. Ward stared that it would resuU m a; strong organisation, winch would bo able of handling tho enterprises thus brought under one control. without any conflict of -attractions- As things had been going on, two big first nights often clashed in one city io the detriment of both and the dissatisfaction of the public. "The whole result of the combination will be one of benefit to the public, ■ saul Sir. Ward. "The theatrical business cannot stand still. You bar© to go one better every time. The public demand change and something ahead of what has gone before. How far thei* demand is being met may bo judged by such future engagements as tho Melba grand opera season. Mr. H. a. Irving. Miss Ethel Irving, Mr. Oscar Asche, Mr. Lewis Waller, 'The Blue Bird,' in addition to the pantannine 'Siubad tho Sailor,' and the dramafic arid musical comedy companies. ' "Another matter engaging our attention is the building of a largo modern theatre in Sydney. We have two sites under consideration, and plans are now being prepared. You mar expect to see this complete inside tho next two years." "Yes.'.''answered Mr. Ward to the question, "the $ead offices of the management will continue in 'aydney. We have now near completion a building for offices in Castlereagh Street. This building has been designed especially for theatrical requirements, each of the producing departments having accommodation there. There will be a big rehearsal'room, willi offices for the stage managers, ballet mistresses, and others engeged in preparing pieces for the stage. • ■ . HUNGRY:AND ANGRY. During tho hearing of^'a- suit, :jiu.!-;tho,' Melbourne Dirorce Court, before Mr. Justice Hodges, on Thursday.laSij a conntry solicitor's'protestVooucerniDgi cheprac" tice which was again followed of sitting on throiigh the luncheon hour, nearly led to his being committed for contempt of court... Mr. S. P. Thompson was appearing for the petitioner, and Mr.' Justice' Hodges intimated that he was not satisfied with the evidence, at the same time saying Ihat, strictly, he would be justified in dismissing the suit. Mr. Thompson made some remark, which called from Mr. Justice Hodges the sharp retort:-"If you talk'like that, sir. I will commit you." Mr. Thompson returned to the charge by saying that Mr. Justice Hodges would not speak to a wealthy city solicitor in that way. ■ "I will commit you," again warned Mr. Justice Hodges. Mr. Thompson, undaunted, continued a Tunning, comment, saying: "The poor country solicitor has to struggle for a living, and when he comes dojvn here ho is treated inhumanely. It is ail very well for the wealthy classes to go without luncheon, but I have travelled 46 miles this morning to get. here, and had very littlo breakfast, besides'." Before the incident resulted in a climax, Mr. Thompson, on the advice of a brotheripractitioner. left the Court without further comment. ■

SUFFOCATED IN A BATHROOM. Dr. Lloyd (!ill,'_n young medical officer, residing at St. Kilda, spent some hours in playing tennis on August 5 at the residence of Mr. A. M. Le Souef, in Hotham Street. At 5.20 . p.m. he wont into tho bathroom with Theodore Johnston and Lionel Le Souef, to have a hot shower. As the three men did not make their appearance "after a lapse of 20 minutes, several of their companions knocked at the door of tho bathroom. They received no reply, and subsequently Mr. Le Souef, senior, broke in the door, and the threo weri found lying . unconscious on the floor. Two doctors were summoned, and efforts were made to restore animation. In the case of Dr. 1 Gill, however, life was pronounced to be extinct. It is stated by Mr. Le Souef, sen., that when ho entered the room he smelt no gas, but it is believed by Dr. Guttridge that the three, men were overcome by carbonic acid fumes emanating from the bath-heater. The only ventilation in tho room was a small hole in the ceiling, and both the window and the door had been closed. When he recovered consciousness Johnston said that, all he remembered of the occurrence was suddenly feeling giddy, and then sc-e----iug La Souef drop to the fioor in a faint-.

.MIGHT OF THE EMPIRE. Mr. Frank Wilson, Premier of West Australia, returned from London by the Osterlej*. .Interviewed by a rep re-en i-a-tive of the Sydney "Daily Telegraph," he said of the Coronation"lt was the experience of a lifetime, and left, nu indelible impression regarding the grandeur and might of the British Empire. There seemed to be an undoubted feeling of quiet, but doep-rooted, lovalty to their Majesties the King and Queen, and it.' only required some great occasion to demonstrate in all quarters of the Empire that Britishers were true to their flag and their country. Nevertheless, I am convinced," continued Mr. Wilson, "that the British people would do well to initiate some system of compulsory military service, so that England might be prepared for eventualities. It seems to me that the day is yet very far off when tho :-afe.ty of the Empire can' be secured by peace conferences and treaties. Not that I wish to undervalue such for one moment: but I feci that to reap their full advantage Britain must be in a position to enforce tlicm. Tho naval review nt Spitliead was a tangible representation of England's power, and gave one a sense ■>i security not only for the Motherland, hc-t for the outposts of the Empire as well. JI behoves Australia to carry out Admiral Henderson's nrvnl defence schema as expeditiously as possible, bearing in mind the enormous value of our trade and the immensity of the territory to be protected, and the further undoubted fact that it ninv not be long Iwfore Australia, is called upon to stand with the Motherland in defence of tho Empire.