AUSTRALIAN AFFAIRS

Evening Star, Issue 15479, 29 April 1914, Page 8

AUSTRALIAN AFFAIRS

EXETER RAILWAY DISASTER. ENGINE-DRIVER ACQUITTED. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. SYDNEY, April 29. (Rewired April 29, at 10.45 a.m.) The trial of Irwin (engine-driver of the Temora mail train, whose collision with a goods train at Exeter resulted in loss of life) on a charge of manslaughter was concluded to-day. Accused went into the witness-box, and, in the course of his evidence, said that the distance signal showed a full green light, indicating line clear He was unable to see the home signal until within a few yards of it owing to the dense fog. Ha then applied the brakes hard, but the train skidded on the slippery rails. If it had not skidded it could have been pulled up in time. The jury returned a verdict of “Not guilty,” a finding which the crowded court cheered enthusiastically. IN SAFE KEEPING. SYDNEY, April 29. Brown, who was recently acquitted on a charge of the murder of Sergeant Hickey, has been committed to a mental hospital. THE BEEF TRUST. PRICES ALREADY MOUNTING. SYDNEY, April 29. The priqe of moat has'reached a record. The present high levels, compared with those riding only a year ago, show an allround advance of over Id per lb. Retailers state that this is due to the advent of Americans into the trade in Queensland.