AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume XX, Issue 2065, 10 January 1925, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

SHIPPING DEADLOCK. AN ABORTIVE CONFERENCE. (Press Association.—Copyright.) (Received 11.5 a.m.) Sydney., this day. The conference of the Waersiders' Federation, ifho Returned Soldiers' and Sailors' Waterside Union, and the steamship owners ended without any agreement being reached. Mr Farrar, Minister of Labour, attended the conference, and stated that it is the intention of the Government to administer sdrictly he Returned Soldiers and Sailors' Employment Act, ivbich gives preference to returned men. The Government will not bo a party to any breach of the law and will enforce iho Act, whether; against the individual or the organisation. INCREASED GOLD OUTPUT. (Received 11.5 a.m.) Brisbane, this day. The approxixmate gold yield of Queensland for 1924 was 95,356 fine ounces, valued" at £405,013, compared with 84,814 fine ounces valued at C 360,206 sterling in 1923. BOATING FATALITY. THKEK MEN DROWN UD. (Rp.'eived 10.15 a.m.) Hobaii, this day. When :i. small fishing boat containing four men was entering the harbour, the engine stopped and a big sea stiuck her. The boat was upset, and three men named Green, Kinsella, and William Jones were drowucL The fourth man, George Jones, was saved. ALLEGED CITY GRAFT. DEVELOPMENTS EXPECTED. (Press Association.—Copyright.) (Received 11.25 a.m.) Sydney, this day. Allegations that a large quantity ol electrical equipment had been supplied to certain sporting grounds and erected by the council's workmen in the council's time, and without the council's knowledge or permission, and the cost debited to the department, has caused consternation at the Town Hall. The utmost reticence is being observed by tbe Lord Mayor and other officials, but it is expected that sensational developments will occur within a day or two. The ardlard toahr dtao rdtaotaoiaoi N.S.W. WHEAT YIELD. SECOND HIGHEST ON RECORD. (Received 11.30 a.m.) Sydney, this day. The Government statistician estimates the wheat yield of the present season at 60,832,000 bushels, an average of 17.4 bushels per acre, which is the second highest total in the history of the State, the highest being 66,764.910 bushels in 1915-16. THE ELUSIVE DE GARIS. THE POLICE BAFFLED. (Received 10.15 a.m.) Sydney, this day. Concerning iho disappearance of De Garis, a man giving his name as Young and purporting to be an American journalist, and who engaged a room at tbe Mortlake Hotel, was interviewed by Iho police on Wednesday, since when lie lias disappeared. The police are convinced thai the man is De Garis, disguised, but they are unable to effect an arrest owing to information not having arrived from Melbourne. Tbe man left in the room a brown hair wig and several keys with the name De Garis on the tab. Under the linoleum were found scraps of a telegram, which when pieced together ' showed it had been addressed to Mr De Garis. The man arrived at' the I wharf just before the Maheno sailed. He was carrying a suitcase and travelling rug, both addressed with the name Leslie. He was seen to go on to the wharf, but after that completely disappeared. Detectives were waiting at the gangway to arrest him but did not sight him. Enquiries at -the booking office show that no one of the name of Young or Leslie booked by the Maheno.

(A warrant has been issued for the arrest of C. 0. Do Garis on a charge of obtaining £3OO by means of a valueless cheque. De Garis was a Melbourne business man engaged ,in subdivision enterprises, involving large sums. He disappeared after writng 70 letters, declaring tihat he would commit suicide.)