AUSTRALIAN CABLES.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 10645, 20 December 1910, Page 4

AUSTRALIAN CABLES.

[By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.]

(Per Press Association.)

STRIKE IN BUILDING TRADES FEARED.

Brisbane, December 19. The bricklajers' laborers arc striking for increased wages, and the extension of the strike to other building tiades is feared., There is gieat building activity at present.

EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT. " Received December 19, at 9.15 p.m. „ .. " . , -Svdney, December 19. Mr , Beeby, in_ opening the School declared that the Government, intended largely to extend legislation .and .mate the teaching profession jittractivo as, possible; also, to grant teachers "full civil and political lights, with a limitation. Thov mu\t not cnticiso their ''boss." meaning "Jhe Government It was also proposed to extend the education age to 17 or 18. The extension would be -voluntary at the. outset/ but ultimately a system- of compu'sion would bo introduced, the extension to take the form of night classes TTiev would begin with factory boys and girls. The sjstem of superanuation was leceiving consideration.

UNIVERSITY REFORM Received December 20, at 9.35 a:m. Sydney, December 20. The Teacheis' Conference adopted resolutions in favor of sweeping university reforms, including the election of women to the Senate, the abolition of fees, and the establishment of a chair of domestic science. IRRIGATION; AND SETTLEMENT. ?"•' ,'. r Sj'dney, 'December 20.. During the consideration' of the Murrumbidgee irrigation scheme in the Assembly, Mr Lee ( of Lands, stated that the Barren Jack dam wouldirrigate 350,000 acres, which , would eventually be increased to a million and a-half acres and would provide settlement for 150,000 persons, representing a production value of £3,000,000 annually. RAILWAY EXENSION IN QUEENS- ' LAND. Brisbane, December 20. ■ The Treasurer, .tabled his loan proposals, the total amount asked for being £9,991,000, the whole of which is to be expended on railway construction, an extension of the Gravt Western line absorbing over £4,000,000, and the North Coast line £2,320,000.

DESTRUCTIVE HAILSTORM. "Brisbane, December 20. During a hailstorm at St. George jagged lumps of destroyed gardens, damaged property, and killed poultry and .calves. THE DRIVERS STRIKE." Adelaide, "December 20. The ballot of the members of the Drivers Association favored the resumption of work this morning. The employers, however, asked for unconditional resumption . pending tho conference. The men declined unconditional surrender, and the strike therefore continues. THE VERTII MYSTERY. Perth, December 20. Smart, when charged with, .the wilful murder of Harris, declared that lie did not understand. The inquest on Harris has been opened. Smart, when shown the remains, said that they were not Harris. A big crowd displayed great hostility to the prisoner. JEWEL" ROBBERY. . . ~ Perth,.,-December 20. .A _sojis.ation.al.. robbery occurred at Madousfcy's jeweller shop at Kalgoorlie.' An assistant, Borkheiin, was found lying in .the shop with his legs and arms bound and with a severe, wound on the head. Jewellery to the value of £7OO and £4O in cash were missing. Borkheim stated that he was struck from behind while sweeping the floor. A GRUESOME FIND. Melbourne, December 20. The body of W. Wilson, a wellknown resident of Baimsdale, was found in the Mitchell River with a strap round the legs and another strap with a 'heavy gladstone bag attached round the body. It is supposed to be a case of suicide. PUNISHMENT OF CRIME. Sydney, December 20. Tho Inspector-General of Police reuitcs Mr Holman's statement that 50 per centum of the reported crimes go unpunished. He quotes statistics to '-how that"6o per centum of the offences reported last year were punished.

MINING DISPUTE. Sydney, December 20. Negotiations are proceeding at the Broken Hill mine between the owners and the miners' association concerning the latter's demand for increased wages and preference to unionists. It is understood that tho companies have offered an all-ro.iind increase, but refuse preference. THE LAND SCANDAL. Melbourne,"-December 20. • The Royal Commission's report on the Coluiniiii "land ",ase states that value ■'■was-obtained by the State for the prices .paid. The Commission finds that Anderson did not di.sclose to (.he Closer Settlement Board his interest in the land sold to the Board, and answers in the negative the question as to whether Ari'derson used official information confided to him, for his own advantage or .the benefit of others; what he did was done as a speculation, and was not the ■result of confidential information.