AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21221, 30 December 1930, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

; CRIME IN NEW SOUTH WALES. A MARKED INCREASE. / (United Press Association.) (By ’ Electric Telegraph-Copy right.) , . SYDNEY, December 29. The police report lor the year states that in the-last six months there has been a marked increase in the number of robberies or attempted robberies on bank and railway premises, and on business houses by. armed men. Many civilians have also been bailed up. Special measures by the police resulted in many dangerous criminals, including the, members of two gangs, being arrested. BIG FIRE IN ADELAIDE. AMMUNITION WAREHOUSE, ADELAIDE, December 29. A large section, of the east end of the city was threatened last night when the ammunition warehouse of Flavel and Sons was burnt to the ground. It was a most spectacular blaze, thousands of pounds’ worth' of goods being destroyed. Huge supplies of ammunition went off with a terrific bang. Adjoining buildings caught fire, but a good save was effected by the brigade. The bullets from the exploding cartridges made holes in many buildings.

A DROWNING TRAGEDY.

TWO LIVES LOST,

) SYDNEY, December 29,

Andrew Houget, aged 24, and William Hayes, aged 25, were drowned in the Namoi River. The first-named got into difficulties, and his brother Alex and Hayes went to his assistance. They were unable to assist their struggling companion. Alec Houget managed to scramble ashore, but Hayes sank. STORM IN NEW SOUTH WALES. GALES AND DRIVING RAIN. SYDNEY, December 29. (Received Dec. 29, at 10.30 p.m.) The stormy, unseasonable weather which spoiled the Christmas holidays in Victoria also damaged crops and orchards. It is now centred over New South Wales, and the whole coastline is being swept by gales. Driving rains, which began on Saturday night, show no sign of abatement. Shipping from the north battled grimly into port to-day, hours behind time. Holiday resorts are deserted, skiffs liave been sunk at their moorings, and heavy seas are raging. Untold misery is being experienced by diehard campers along tlie beaches.

Weather authorities say that a gale, with mountainous seas, prevails over the west and south-west sections of the Tasman Sea.

NEW SOUTH WALES RAILWAYS,

DECREASED CHRISTMAS TRAFFIC.

SYDNEY, December 29. (Received Dec. 30, at 1 a.m.) The Christmas traffic on the New South Wales railways showed a falling off- of £31,433 by comparison with 19211 The postal department reports a slump in the Christmas mail business of 20 per cent.

By special arrangement, Reuter's Worio Serrlcs In addition to other special aourccj of Information, is used In the compilation of tha overseas Intelligence published In this Issue, and all rights therein in Australia and New Zealand are reserved.