AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22487, 4 February 1935, Page 10

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

COMMONWEALTH RAILWAYS STANDARDISING GAUGES (United Press Association.) tßy Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) CANBERRA, February 2. Cabinet decided to proceed with the construction of the standard railway gauge linking Port Augusta with Adelaide, the estimated cost of which is £1,169,000. This is expected to represent the first step toward complete unification of the Australian railway system.

COMPLETE SCHEME POSTPONED CANBERRA, February 3. (Received Feb. 3. at 9 p.m.) The Federal Cabinet has decided not to proceed with its rail gauge unification scheme, involving an expenditure of £20,000,000 over a period of yearß until the Port Augusta-Adelaide rail standardisation work is completed about two years hence.

A DETERMINED ASSAILANT DISTRESSING DOMESTIC TRAGEDY SYDNEY, February 2. After firing a gun at her and missing her, Andrew Hunter, aged 27, chased his wife, whom he married only a few weeks ago, along the street, and, overtaking her, battered her about the head with an iron bar. Hunter then fired a bullet into his neck and died .instantly. His wife, aged 25, died later in hospital.

WRESTLING ', SYDNEY, February 3. (Received Feb. 3, at 9 p.m.) Wrestling at the Leichhardt Stadium, making his first appearance, Tex Bolt drew with George Pencheff. each securing a fall.

BROADSIDERS INJURED SYDNEY, February 3. (Received Feb. 3, at 6.30 p.m.) During speedway racing at the Showgrounds last night a couple of sensational accidents occurred. In one the English test captain (Tiger Stevenson) and his team mate (Cliff Parkinson) figured. The pair came down and their machines were flung high in the air. Stevenson escaped with minor injuries and Parkinson suffered concussion and abrasions. His condition is serious. Harry Lewis was seriously injured in a crash two heats later.

A DISASTROUS FIRE SYDNEY, February 3. (Received Feb. 3, at 6.30 p.m.) Taylor's paint factory at Paddington was destroyed by fire last night. It made a spectacular blaze and a series of explosions shook the adjoining buildings. The damage is estimated at many thousands of pounds.

CHAMPIONSHIP ROWING SYDNEY, February 3. (Received Feb. 3, at 9 p.m.) Four State championship titles .were decided on the Nepean River yesterday and resulted as follows: Champion Eight of New South Wales. Three miles—Mosman 1, Police crew 2, Haberfield 3. Won by four feet. Time, 15min 59 l-ssec. '■ Lightweight Champion Fours. One mile and a-half —Sydney crew 1. Time, Bmin 55 2-ssec. Lightweight Champion Sculls. Two miles—S. Hoskins. Time, 12min 0 4-ssec. Sculling Championship of New South Wales. Three miles —J. H. Turrier 1. Won by six lengths. Time, 19min 5 4-ssec.

EXPORT OF STUD SHEEP CANBERRA, February 3. (Received Feb. 3, at 9 p.m.) The Federal Government has decided to continue the embargo on the export of stud merinos, but will allow Corriedales and Polworths to be exported under permit..