AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXV, Issue 52, 2 March 1908, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

BACK FROM THE DEAD. The Vic'orian courts last year had before them a singular case, in •which a man whose estate had been administered in the belief that he was dead unexpectedly returned to life and made claim upon the Crown for compensation. Another somewhat similar case cropped up in the Full Court last week, except that in this instance the claimant merely asks the Crown to restore him his landed estate row in the hands of another. The application was mado on behalf of John Gallagher, cf Highstreet. North Sydney, for a rule nisi for a mandamus directed to the Re-gistrar-General, directing him to summon Henry Philip Miller, of Mount Aubrey, to bring in his Crown grant for the purposa of cancellation, on the grounds that such • grant had been wrongfully obtained, or -had been issued in error. The facts set out were that Gallagher was the original holder of a conditional purchase of 100 acres in the county of Gordon. He took up the land in 1877. In 1888 he left the State, placing the management of the land in the hands of his father. His father died in 189&, and in October of the following year John Gallagher, being erroneously supposed to be also dead, letters of administration were issued to his sister, a Mrs. Nicholls, who sold the land in question, which eventually came into the possession of the present holder, H. P. Miller, who, having paid off the money owing, duly received the Crown grant. The court granted the rule asked for on the grounds that the grant was an instrument issued in' error, and that it was wrongfuly obtained. The Chief Justice remarked that, according to the affidavit of the applicant's sister, she had got nothing out of the proceeds of the sale, the amount received being insufficient to the pay the legal costs. He was afraid that the sains fato awaited the present applicant. DEFRAUDING SOLICITORS. The advent of the autumn racing season has afforded an opportunity to an enterprising rascal to cheat two or three Melbourne solicitors and architects of a few pounds (writes a Melbourne correspondent). His method has been to call at a solicitor's offices, giving the name of a well-known racehorse owner, and to issuo lengthy instructions as to the preparation of a conveyance to him of a racing stable, which he represents that he has purchased. This done the "ownei" commences to chat about the chances of "his" horse at Caufield, and suggests that he La given a couple of pounds to invest on the race. Ho gets the money, makes an appointment for next day, and departs. His appointments arc never fulfilled. With architects fcha plan was practically the same. 'T have purchased a piece of land at Caulfield* ho says, "and I want to erect a stable on it. Will you go and have a look at — 's stable and prepare me plans for a- similar one?" Then follows racing chat, and the suggested investment. No informations have been sworn. MR. BENT AND' MR. TOM MANN. Mild excitement was caused at the Victorian Treasury ono day last week by the appearance of a procession of about 300 men, headed by Mr. Tom Mann. The main body, upon reaching the entrance to Mr. Bent's office, halted in tho street, but Mr. Mann and about thirty^of hia followers entered and requested to.be allowed to wait upon the Premier as a deputation. This was the deputation from the Socialist Party on the subject of the unemployed which the Cabinet at its last meeting decided it would be inadvisable for the Premier to receive. Mr. Bent did not admit thorn to his room, but went out into the passage, and asked Mr. Mann what was wanted. Mr. Mann said they desired the Premier to hear their views. The Premier asked how ho could go behind tho decision of tho Cabinet, but Mr. Mann "respectfully urged" that he could at least listen to their representations. "I must havo scmo notice at any rate," declared the Premier. "I am very busy now, Come in and let me look at the engagement list." Mr. Mann entered tho room, and upon emerging announced' that the Premier had agreed to receive the deputation at noon that day. AMERICAN FLEET'S SUGGESTED VISIT. A surprising statement that emerged from the din concerning the invitation extended to tho U.S. fleet to visit Sydney was to ths; effect that the big battleships of the- squadron couldn't safely ncgotiato the Beautiful Harbour. Sydney is so justly proud of Port Jackson that it is annoyed at any suggestion that the inkt' has spots on it. Yet instances havo occurred of the big P. and O. boats gelting on tho mud. According to the Bulletin, tho Powerful can only enter on the top of high water, and the manoeuvring to get it from Farm Cove to' tho dock is a delicate job. The Powerful " draws 30ft., a draught which is exceeded by tho prize monsters of Uncle Samuel's fleet. A FORTY-FIVE YEARS CIVIL SERVANT. Thomas Driscoll, who was for 45 years police officer in charge rtt Recherche Bay, was "retired" about six months ago without a penny of pension, or anything in the shape of an allowance. He had kept the_ peace, collected the Customs revenue, 'managed the post office, gathered 'in the timber and dog liconse money, and any other/ moneys that were duo to the Tasnianian Government, and, generally, had been the whole blessed civil service. And his billet as constable had not been a sinecure by any means. No policeman's billet is a happy, one where timbor-get-tors congregate. ' They are wild men, these timber-getters. Then Recherche Bay 'Was for many years a whaling station, and whalers are not exactly lambs, ; and Constable Driscoll had a wild and woolly time with runaway sailors and the other .dosporadoes who are usually to bo found at a seaport on the outskirts of civilisation. He also took part in tho operations against some of the bushrangers who, in their lime, kicked up considerable dust, and he was present at the capture of lha notorious "Rocky" 'Whelan. He was a good public servant, and as a private citizen ho was of the sort th;it mnko nations, having successfully reared 22 children, who havo nil dono well and havo large families of their own, with never a black sheep among them. And yet at no time during his long career did his income exceed £8 a month and quarters. A man who has reared 22 good children on an incomo of JSB per month and quarters ought to be commemorated by a statue, and ' deserv.es bettor luck than to bo dismissed from the service when lie is old, poor, and toUoring with intimity, comments the Bulletin. Thomas Driscoll is now over ' s Bb years of age, nnd it wouldn't break even the ha-rd-up Tasmania!* Government to make him a decent allowance.