AUSTRALIAN AFFAIRS

Evening Star, Issue 18668, 24 June 1924, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN AFFAIRS

Frees Association—By Telegraph—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Press Association. THE TORT LYTTELTON, A BILL OF DETAINMENT. SYDNEY, June 24. (Received June 24, at 10.10 a.m.) A bill of detainment has been served on the steamer Port Lyttelton by the Department of Navigation, and the vessel will ho nnablo to leave Sydney till this is lifted. During tho past fortnight the siiip has been undergoing a minute, examination by a diver. [A message received on June 9 stated ; Owing to tho refusal of the. employees the local dockyards to repair the Port Lyttelton (which was declared “black” in April last), it is probable that tho vessel will have to undergo ponnauont repairs at Java. Arrangements aro in progress for temporary repairs to bo effected in Sydney, following which tho vessel will leave for Batavia.] ROBBERY UNDER ARMS. SYDNEY", June 24. (Received June 24, at 10.10 a.m.) Two armed and masked men gained admittance to a house at Randwick. They held up the two women occupants at the point of tho revolver, and robbed them of jewellery valued at £155. They then decamped. UNION OFFICIALS’ ORDERS. REFUSED BY MEN. PERTH, June. 24. (Received June 24, at 10.10 a.m.)

A representative of tho Seamen’s Union visited the Commonwealth lighthouse steamer Kvoglc, which was recently held up in Sydney for some weeks, and requested the firemen and seamen to leave tho vessel. The men refused the request, stating that they wore paid the award rates. STEAMER HELD UP. MELBOURNE, Juno 24. (Received June 24, at, 11.5 a.ra.) As a result of tho action of the Seamen’s Union, tho steamer Alabama is unable to leave with her crew of Chinese coolies. Tho Minister of Customs has given instructions that tho existing regulations must be adhered (o. The Alabama is registered in Australia, and must therefore be manned under Australian conditions, Tho shipping master at Melbourne refused to permit the Alabama to sail with her crow a.s constituted at present.