AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15613, 20 May 1914, Page 9

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

THE WAR ON DRUNKENNESS.

STATE'S UNENVIABLE RECORD

\ By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright

Sydney, May 19. Tire annual report ;of the New South Wales Alliance says .that New South Wales is the most drunker State in the Commonwealth. During 1913 the.convictions, for drunkenness totalled 28.274. "while other convictions in which drunkenness formed part ox the charge numbered 4185, makin|'' a total of 32,459. In 1912 there, were 32,977 convictions, ■ but in 1913 2000 pledges were taken, when convictions were not recorded.

At the annual convention of temperance workers at Clifton yesterday,"Mr, Wilson moved that the issue of no-license under the State local option polls be determined by a bare majority,, and urged Parliament to repeal the 'three-fifths'. majority.. He said that the New Zealand .people had never • forgiven themselves, for : accepting the three-fifths majority .'in-the Liquor Bill. ;: '' "'

The conference further moved in favour of earlier closing to prevent drunkenness. It was unanimously decided not to exclude intoxicants for sacramental purposes.

GREAT II7HEAT CROP.

(Received May 20, 1-2.5 in.)

Sydney, May 19. The official final return of the New South Wales wheat crop gives the total yield at 38,043.360 bushels, an average of 11.9 per acre, ancT 6,546,000 busheld above the 1913 record. :

WOOL SALES RESUMED.

(Received "May 20, 12.5 a.m.)

Sydney, May 19. The wool salesi were resumed to-day. Bidding was generally extremely brisk. Prices were 5 to 7£ per cent, above the April rates.

The advance in merinos Teaehed 10 per cent. Crossbreds were steady at. late fuli rates. ■• ,;. .

SYDNEY HARBOTJB COLLISION.

(Received May 19, 6.15 p.m.)

Sydney, May 19. A sensational incident occurred on the harbour here to-day. The steamer Courtfield ecl'ided with the ferryboat Kiandra, with mwy passengers aboard/ The Kiandra was badly damaged. After her passengers had been landed, she was hid up. There was no sign of a panic.

FOREIGN SWEEPSTAKES. (Received May 19, • 6.15 p.m.) ; - .; : Sydney, May. 19. The police warn the public that a large number of letters are arriving regarding foreign sweepstakes, and that the Customs authorities have decided to collect duty on all tickets from outside sources. •

FOOTBALLERS ON TOUR. (Received May 19, 6.15 p.m.) ..../ FKEiiAmE,May'.'l9.' The Northern Union team of footballer* has arrived here on the Marmora.

TENNIS TOURNAMENT. (Received May 19, 10.2) p.m.) . Sydney, May 19.

'The New South Wale? tennis chaiapionships were continued yesterday. In. the mixed doubles, Anderson and Mrs. Ford (New'' South Wales) defeated Patterson and Miss Schlesi.nger (Victoria), 6—4, 6— 3. In the open singles, Hedman beat Browne, 2—6, 6—3, . 6—3. t Li the open doubles Anderson and Slaman beat bowker and Smith, 3-6, 6— 6—2. '..-. ■ In the ladies' doubles, Misses Stewart and . Addison beat Mrs. .Ford and Miss Callings, 7-5, 6-0. ■

EGYPTIAN ROBBERY. (Received May 10, 10.25 p.m.)

• Sidney, Mayl9.

In connection with tbo theft of jewels, worth £10,000, from a jeweller of Alexandria (Egypt), the superintendent of police here is of opinion ] that the . perpetrators are -three men, well-known to the Australian police, an that they r«c bt-Iy left this country.

' TOWN-PLANNING TOUR. 'Sydney, May 19. .On Saturday, Mr. Charles C. Reade, organiser of the Australasian, town-plan-ning tour, will leave for New Zealand by the Maunganui. ■~.■/

SUBMARINE DEPOT SHIP. ■■"'' 'Bvdjtev, May W.

The Commonwealth. Government has placed, an .order- for'* I submarine .depot ship with Messrs. John Brown end ;Company, of. Clydebank. .......

" OBITUARY, , '.).■ . MEPOOK*. May If'- i -The death ill' announced.-of, AldenwA bead of the Draids of. Austria and km Zealand. . . •■■! .•".'.'