AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21530, 30 December 1931, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

BUSH FIRES STILL RAGING. WHEAT AREAS THREATENED. SYDNEY, December 29. Bush fires in the Wagga district continue to threaten further areas, in which tliere is rank, dry grass adjoining the ripening wheat, which is in grave danger despite the strenuous efforts of large bodies of men to cope with the flames. Other districts are suffering similarly owing to the dry weather. Hundreds of horses on Stirling Hill became panicstricken when grass fires surrounded their enclosure. The police and the manager cut the fences to release them. FORTUNATE CHANGE OF WIND. ADELAIDE, December 29. The township- of Woodside, in hilly country, was endangered by bush fires, but a fortunate change of wind averted disaster. A good deal of damage was done in various places, and a number of stock was burned. TRAGEDY OF THE RANGES. HUMAN BONES IN ASHES. SYDNEY 7 , December 29. On November 19, a sheep farmer in the lake ranges near Bungendore, 40 miles from Goulburn, found the remains of a large fire. An examination of the ashes disclosed bones, apparently . those of a human being, a gun barrel, a partlymelted watch, and a small key. Intensive inquiries by the police, extending to London, where Scotland Yard traced the makers of the key and its Australian destination, and research by local scientists resulted in the establishment of the identity of the dead man as Sydney James Morrison, aged 21, a resident of Bondi. Inquiries are proceeding in an effort to discover how he met his death. ITALIAN CONSUL ASSAULTED. ANTI-FASCISTS S USPECTED. BRISBANE, December 29. Signor Melano, the Italian Consul, visited Ingham ,on Christmas Day, and on Saturday was assaulted by several Italians, allegedly anti-Fascists. The consul had been visiting the hospital. The attackers were beaten off by other men, but took the consul’s badge. There was a second demonstration in the evening, when the consul was_ struck by glass thrown at him. Voices in the crowd shouted, “Kill him.” The police cleared the street, and arrested a man. TEMPERATURE IN ADELAIDE. HIGHEST FOR MANY YEARS. ADELAIDE, December 29. (Received Dec.. 29, at 10 p.m.) The temperature in Adelaide to-day was 113 d eg., the highest for 27 years.