AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19316, 31 October 1924, Page 8

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

PLAGUE OF GRASSHOPPERS. A SERIOUS VISITATION. & Press Association —By Tsteffrapb—Copyright. SYDNEi, October 30. Immense swarms of grasshoppers are making their appearance between Leadville and Dunedoo. The ground in places is black with them. They are rapidly consuming the grass, and are now attacking the stems of the wheat plants. Everything points to a recurrence of the 1907 disaster. WOMEN JUSTICES OP' THE PEACE. SYDNEY, October 30. At the annual conference of women justices of the peace in New South Wales, among the resolutions passed was one urging the women of Victoria and New Zealand to carry on the fight to bring their Governments into line with others in Australia in the appointment of women magistrates, and placing on record regret mat there still remained Governments so undemocratic as to exclude women irom the commission of the peace. Mrs Hadfield is the New Zealand delegate. THE VICKERS COMPANY. SYDNEY, October 30. Arrangements have been completed for the amalgamation of the Commonwealth Steel Products Company with Vickers, Ltd. SCOW CATHKIT’S VOYAGE. SYDNEY, October 29. There is no further news of the Gathkit, which is now 63 days at sea. Vessels have been advised by wireless that if they sight the Cathkit to instruct her to make for the nearest port. (Received Oct. 50, at 9,30 p.m.) The Cathkit was sighted off Sydney this morning and was later towed into port after a protracted voyage of 54 days from Tasmania. As a result of storms she was driven back into Bass Straits three times. Subsequently she sprang a leak, but her cargo of timber prevented serious consequences, though the crew were kept hard at work at the pumps in the face of continued rough weather and high seas. FIRE AT TILE WORKS. SYDNEY, October 30. A destructive fire broke out at Goodlet and Smith’s terracotta and tile works, at Merrylands. The damage is estimated at between £20,000 and £30,000. THE CHURCH AND WAR. SYDNEY, October 29. The Congregational Union carried a resolution condemning war and requesting the heads of the churches to consider the whole question of.war and the attitude of the churches in this connection. t GOVERNOR OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA. PERTH, October 29. The new Governor of Western Australia (Sir William Campion) and Lady Campion have arrived. They wore officially welcomed and sworn in.