AUSTRALIAN ITEMS.

Feilding Star, Volume VI, Issue 1677, 22 December 1911, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN ITEMS.

BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH—COPYRIGHT

[PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] THE VEND CASE JUDGMENT. Sydney, December 21. In the vend case, the delivery of his judgment was continued throughout to-day by Mr Justice Isaacs, and was unfinished when the Court rose.

Judge Isaacs declared that the conduct of the defendants would indicate an intention to combine .for the purpose ot raising the prices of coal to a height limited only by the possibility of obtaining them. Dealing with shipping companies, he said they carried on the excess as imposed by the Vend, and were just as much responsible as tho colliery proprietors. they combined in agreement, tho shippers played off ono colliery against another. The shipping defendants must bo hold responsible, if tho detriment of tho public travelled no further than tho declaration of excessive prices being pronounced by the Vend, and executed by the shipping companies. But detriment -proceeded further than this, the companies using their powers of combination for additional advantage to themselves. SYDNEY'S AVATERSIDE WORKERS. Though much discontented at the award, the wharf labourers* worked as usual to-day, and following the recent practice, knocked off at 5 o'clock to-mVhti, instead of 5.30, the hour fixed under tho agreement. .It is thought probable that no further move will be mado at present, pending the proposed appeal against the award. WINS FOR TREMBATH. Trembath, the New Zealand pro.tessional runner, defeated Taylor over a 3ooyds sprint by five yards in 40 seconds. The New Zealander was also victorious m the 500 yds, winning by oyds in 67 seconds. AT THE WHARVES. (Received December 22, 10.40 a.in ) . , Syduoy, December 22.' land' 1 ' 1 '' 6 ' athlU ' dl °' iVom Auck - "THE RECEXT STRIKE Mr Havelock Wilson, the English lahou Header, interviewed, said the recent great strike had practically broken up tho federation of ship--owners, whoso attitudo had become intolerable. 'Tho upheaval would no doubt result m an accession to the strentgh of tho Labour Party in the House of Commons. DESERTERS. During tho last commission of tho Uowori'ul in ►Sydney, 150 men deserted. RUNNING EVENTS. Trembath led all tho way in the 350 yards race, though Taylor challenged him strongly 50 yards from tho tape. In tho 500 yards Taylor shot out and led for 400' yards, when Trembath passed him and won by 5 yards . A SEA SERPENT STORY. Tho officers of the Strathardlc report passing a sea serpent on Sunday in the Tasman Sea. Tho monster was 200 feet in length, had a head like a crocodile, and a large fin showed out of tho water. The body was brightly coloured, tapering considerably at the tail, and the animal travelled slowly. It was sighted about 200 miles from the New Zealand coast. MUZZLING THE PRESS AT ELECTIONS. Melbourne, December 21. Tho Federal Senate, in passing the

Electoral Bill, retained a clause prohibiting tho publication of all political articles (editorials and sketches), and paragraphs during an election campaign without tho writer's signature. A DEADLOCK IN QUEENSLAND. Brifsb-uic. December 21. A conference of the. two Houses failed to agree to tho Council's"! amendment to the Liquor Bill. It was stated in tho Council that tho prospect of an agreement is hopeless. Tho House has adjourned over Christmas. A ROUGH TRIP. Hobart, December 22. Dr. Mmson's ship, Aurora, had a rough passage 'lo Macqnaric Island, and encountered heavy seas. Half tbo bridge was washed away. One seaman was washed overboard, but was recovered by means of a rope. (Received Dec. 22, 9.45 a.m.) THE CREW OF THE CLYDE. Melbourne, December 22. Tho steamer Toroa, which accompanied Dr. M'awson to Macquarrie Island, has returned and brought the crew of tho schooner Clyde, which was recently wrecked on tho island, and which is owned by Mr Hatch, of Invercargill, tho lessee of Macquarrie Island.