AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXII, Issue 220, 31 August 1932, Page 8

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

SYDNEY BRIDGE FATALITY DEATH OF TWO CONSTABLES DRIVER OF CAR DISCHARGED Sydney, August 30. At the coroner’s inquiry to-day into the deaths of Constables Bush and McLunn on the harbour bridge, evidence was given that the accident occurred at a badly lighted spot. Polson, the driver of the car, said that he did not see the constables. The coroner returned a verdict of accidental death. Polson was discharged. A cable from Sydney unde- date of August 6 stated: Struck with terrific force by a motor-car on the Harbour Bridge, Constable Clifford Bush, aged 26, was killed outright, and Constable Joseph McLunn, aged 23, was so terribly injured that he died soon after. The driver of the car, Michael Polson, a leading Sydney racehorse owner, will be charged with manslaughter. The constables were struck' by the radiator of the car and were hurled to either side of the roadway, Bush being flung nearly 25 feet. After the smash the car looked as if it had been in a collision with another vehicle. The radiator was forced back, the bonnet twisted out of shape, both headlights crumpled and the front bumper and radiator cap torn off. The windscreen was shattered and McLunn’s scalp was torn open and both legs broken. Bush’s head was terribly crushed and his body severely lacerated. THE BIRTH RATES. LOWEST YET RECORDED. Sydney, August 30. The Commonwealth statistician’s annual report stated that the birth rate in Australia for 1931 is the lowest on record, being 118,509 compared with 128,339 in the previous year. Of every thousand children born in 1931, 42 died within the first year, which is the lowest recorded. Deaths in 1931 numbered 55,560 which is second lowest on record. WELCOME RAIN IN N.S.W. PASTORAL AREAS BENEFIT. Sydney, August 30. Splendid rain is falling all over New South Wales and portions of Victoria. Wheat and pastoral areas are greatly benefited. Reports from the Riverina district indicate that there is danger of flooding of the Murrimbidgee River. ON THE STOCK EXCHANGE. A FRESH IMPETUS. Sydney, August 30. On the stock exchange enhanced wool prices gave company shares a fresh impetus. Gains in base metal prices on London also put investors in good heart. There was little movement -n banks or bonds, but brewery shares hardened. Bank of New South Wales (ex dividend) £29 10/-, Commercial Bank of Sydney £l6 5/-, National Bank (£5 paid) £6, Burns Philp South Sea 30/6, Colonial Sugar £5O, United Insurance £8 15/-, Adelaide Steam 20/9, Millaquin Sugar (ex dividend) 26/3, Goldsbroughs 28/4, Winchcombe Carson (ex dividend) 24/6, Wilcox Mofflin 6/3, Australian Gas A £6 13/-, Tooths 32/-, Tooheys 21/1 j, Carlton Brewery 36/-, British Tobacco 33/9, Dunlop Perdriau 15/-, Australian Glass 43/9, Broken Hill Proprietary 19/3, North Brokens 69/6. Commonwealth Bonds. — Four per cents 1938 £99 15/-, 1941 £99 16/3, 1944 £99 15/-, 1947 £99 13/9, 1950 £9B 10/-, 1953 £9B 10/-, 1957 £9B 18/9, 1959 £99 1/3, 1961 £99 7/6. Melbourne sales.—Goldsbroughs 28/9, Australian Glass 43/6, Nestles pref. 30/9, Mt Lyell 22/6, Commercial Bank Australia 16/-, Commercial Bank Sydney £l6 10/-, Dunlop Perdriau 15/-. Taranaki Oil 1/7. TOBACCO LEAF BURNT. VALUED AT £BOOO. Sydney, Aug. 30. Fire destroyed a shed in which there were 38 tons of uninsured graded tobacco leaf worth £BOOO at Ashford, near Inverell, to-day. Portion of the leaf was recently sold for 2s 5d per pound. TIN HARE INQUIRY. MARK GOSLING’S EVIDENCE. Sydney, Aug. 30. At the mechaiiical hare inquiry Mark Gosling, Chief Secretary in the Lang Administration, gave evidence that he knew Swindell, but had not been frequently in his company. It would not be correct to say that Swindell was continually on his doorstep. The introduction of tin hare racing by the Lang Government was purely a revenue move. Witness allowed the secretary of his department to advise him on the administration of-the gaming laws, and when applications for permits for cours-

ing came before him he always brought them before Cabinet and to a large extent was guided by his officers. When asked whether he knew that racing under the permit system was illegal witness replied: “That is a matter of opinion. ’ ’ The Royal Commissioner interjected: “It is not. It is * matter of law.” Witness added that he accepted any responsibility for what ho had done. The hearing was adjourned. N.B.W. COAL INDUSTRY. REDUCTION IN FREIGHTS. Sydney, Aug. 30. In order »o stimulate the coal industry, the New South Wales Government has agreed permanently to reduce the freights on export and bunker coal to the 1920 level. The concession is equivalent to about 1/6 per ton and will enable contracts to be made well ahead besides assisting the coal industry to rehabilitate itself. BROADCCASTING RIGHTS. FEDERAL CABINET TAKES ACTION. Canberra, Aug. 30. The Federal Cabinet, yielding to representations by the broadcasting authorities, have decided to place restrictions on the Australian Performing Rights Association which is reported to be levying heavy charges upon broadcasting and stage entertainments. The Government’s inquiries disclose that during the twelve months ended June 30, the Performing Rights Association received £30,000 from the Australian A stations and about £15,000 from the B stations for broadcasting the works, of which the association claims a copyright. Enterpreneurs complain that they have no way of ascertaining whether the association is entitled to copyright fees in respect Of any particular work, except by costly litigation. Cabinet, which has obtained mass information on the subject, will make its statement this week. TRANSPORT OF GOLD. N.Z PASSENGERS SEARCHED. Sydney, Aug. 30. Detectives searched several passengers and luggage on the arrival of the Maunganui to-day in the belief that they possessed New Zealand gold, but none was found. Similar precautions will be taken each week.