AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 26 August 1924, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

MESSAGE FROM LOST STEAMER

SYDNEY, Aug. 25. : A bottle containing a message supposed to have come from the lost steamer Sumatra was found in the Clarence river. The message states th.&t the vessel foundered in a terrific gale.off Port Macquarrie on June 28, 1923, and is signed by Captain Bell and Chief Officer Fewtrell.

SYDNEY WEATHER

SYDNEY. Aug. 25. The maximum temperature recorded in Sydney yesterday was 81.1 degrees, the highest recorded in August for thirty-nine years.

TO COMBAT LAWLESSNESS

MELBOURNE, Aug. 25. To combat the spread of lawlessness in Melbourne, a suburban protective patrol comprising ex-officers of the Australian and Imperial force has been formed and has been promised co-opera-tion by the Commissioner of Police. Householders will have the protection of the patrol on a payment of three shillings weekly. The patrol will be armed, will escort citizens to their homes at night, and will bring women from theatres.

MODIFYING PENALTIES. SYDNEY. Aug. 25. The Attorney-General states that the Government intends to introduce legis. latioti to abolish capital , punishment and the flogging of criminals. —Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. MURDER AND SUICIDE. SYDNEY, Aug. 25. Mrs McGill, who killed her child and then committed suicide, had been suffering from nervous trouble. The family had just returned from a. motor drive, and the deed was committed while the husband was’ outside attending to the car. The gas taps were turned on and the doors and windows fastened in the room where the bodies were found.