AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 18 August 1924, Page 8

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

MOTORISTS’ TRIALS The motorists of Sydney are undergoing all sorts of little trials just at present. First, there is the movement to remove the petrol pumps from the footpaths—a course of action which, if carried into effect, will very greatly inconvenience them. They are presenting a monster petition to the chief secretary in order to try to block the move. Then there is their vigorous protests against the introduction of a new traffic regulation regarding side lights, which, it is considered, instead of increasing the. safety of traffic will rather make it more dangerous. The new regulation, they, assert, is not in cornform ity with, the law iiv England, or in the big American cities. But the motoring community is perturbed above all by the wholesale borrowing of cars by joy-riders during the week, ends, when, the cars happen; to be left in the streets by their owners, sometimes only foV a minute of two. Many of the cars are recovered, not a few in a, damaged condition, by the police, but others are never seen again The authorities are now using a gang of detectives simply to recover cars which have been stolen and left abandoned ; but the police attitude is that the motorists are not helping them as they might do. A question now under consideration is whether the traffic regulations should be amended to make it an offence for a carowner to leave his car in the street unattended, unless it is provided with some mechanical contrivance to prevent the engine from being started. SUGGESTED MOTOR RACE ACROSS AUSTRALIA The organisation of a transcontinental race from Adelaide to Port Darwin has been suggested: as a great national sporting event for motor-cars in the Commonwealth. Australia at present lacks a corresponding event to the Grand Prix in France, or the Indianpolis 500, and it is, believed, that such a transcontinental race as is now suggested would not only bring us into line with other countries but would attract world-wide attention. It has been urged that the combined automobile clubs, oil companies, and others in the trade should: promote the event next year. It is. considered that as the motor is now an important factor in the development of Australia, such a contest .would not only provide a magnificent event, affording one of the finest tests of a car the world has yet seen, but also one pregnant with great possibilities in the opening np of the great outback. The distance of the race, as suggested by Mr. Harry James, whose idea ,is likely to obtain official sanction and support, is 2066 miles. Should Hie automobile clubs and the trade generally show the interest in the event which is anticipated, it will be .necessary to prooeed almost at once tvith the preliminary organisation, for the transport of stores along the route for competitors will take many months. The fact is recalled that, in transporting supplies for Mr. Murray Aunger’s last expedition on this route, camel teams took four days to cover 25 miles, and they only had to carry sufficient for three cars. If the big race, eventuates, there will probably be a section for motor cyclists, with and without sidecars, as well as classes for touring cars and stripped racers.

ANCIENT CEMETERY IN SYDNEY. Of the countless thousands of people who pass the Sydney Town Hall daily, few realise that beneath their feet lies one of Sydney’s oldest cemeteries. Grisly reminders of this old graveyard: in which people were laid to rest in the early days are constantly being, brought to light. A few days ago the council’s labourers were digging a trench at the Town IJoII for new elec-, trie light cables when they unearthed, only five feet beneath the surface of the street, opposite one of the Town Hall gates, a tombstone, some 'human bones, and a shilling dated 1816. It was on the site now occupied by the Town Hall that the second cemetery in Sydney was established. It was in use from 1792 until 1819, and extended out into the present alignment of George Street. Most of the coffins were exhumed at a later date, but presumably some of them woe overlooked. At one spot, known as “the coffin pit,” labourers came across the end of a criffin. A record of the finding of the coffin was 'placed with some current issues of daily newspapers in a sealed bottle in the coffin, which was then covered in with concrete. Thus, in the cradle of the. coffin silent Death will still rock to sleep in the very heart of the city at least one old pioneer.