AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume L, Issue 16321, 3 January 1924, Page 9

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

LIGHTHOUSE SHIPS. FOR COMMONWEALTH. SYDNEY. Dec. 22.—The two lightships that ar© to he. built for tlic lighthouse service will bo of 12C0 lons, Avith a speed of between 13 and 34 knots. Efforts have been made to get one steamer constructed at Cockatoo Dock and the other at Walsh Island. It has been decided that tenders shall be called for the work. Both Cockatoo Dock and Walsh Island can compete. MOUNT ISA FIELD. SECOND TO BROKEN HILL. BRISBANE, Dec. 22. Mr. Smith, the Government Geologist, who lias visited tins Mount Isa. silver-lead field in the Cloneurry district, declares that in his opinion the field is second to Broken ilill in richness. The limited amount of Ayork carried out since September lias only tended to confirm tho opinion then expressed by him, in addition to which later discoveries have increased tlio richness of the field. Hundreds of leases have been taken out. On© assay went 69.36 per cent, lead and 83oz. 12dwt. of silver to the ton. Another showed 76.18 per cent, of lead and 68oz. 13dwl. of silver to tho ton. ITALIAN CHORUS. FEDERAL ACTION SUGGESTED. SYDNEY, Dec. 22.—The proposed introduction by Dame Nellie Jl.elba of an Italian male chorus was altackea by Mr. W. G. Muhony, M.P., who said the Comm,on wealth authorities should prevent their lauding. “There is a precedent, for blocking the introduction to Australia of "foreign contract labor,’J said Mr. Malirmy, “in the case of Anderson's seven hatters. In the interest,' and for the protection, of Australian art, the Italians should not be permitted to do Avork which local artists pro aid© and willing to perform. Should the Government fail in its duly the union whose interests, are threatened should take action.” BIG FIRE IN MELBOURNE. DAMAGE £70,000. MELBOURNE, Dec. 21.—The Empire Arcade, in Flinders street, in the very centre of Melbourne's busiest commercial thoroughfare, took lire at two o’clock this morning. The building, Avliicb is of three stories, and occupied by some 25 different. tenants, mostly -business people, was practically gutted. The fire had a good hold when discovered, and it took 1 lie brigades some hours to got it under control. The loss is estimated at about £70,000. The building was insured for £15,000, and Hie stock insurances amount to about £30,000. The top floor of the Mutual Store, which adjoins, was damaged both by fir© and water, but other buildings in the vicinity escaped lightly. POLICE STRIKERS DISCHARGED. LABOR MOVE FAILS. 40 NEW APPOINTMENTS. MELBOURNE Dec. 15. -- A Government Gazette, issued yesterday, • announced that 634 policemen Avlio went on strike had been discharged, and two dismissed. Forty new appointments to- Hi© force were also gazetted. When the Appropriation Bill, representing an aggregate vote of £15,383,534, was brought down in the State Assembly, the leader of the Labor Opposition, Mr. Prendergnst, moved an amendment expressing the view - that it was desirable that the Government should reinstate the police strikers. The Premier, Mr. Lawson, firmly reiterated tho decision of the Government not to lake hack any of the- men! Tho amendment avus defeated, and, later, tho Gazette announcements were issued. JAPANESE JN THE NORTH. LUGGERS ARE SUSPECTED. ACTION TAKEN. TOWNSVILLE, Dec. 22. —Some remarkable stories are being told by skippers of Japanese pearling ami fishing vessels to explain their absence oh fishing cruises. One of the most recent, to tho effect that a lugger had been caught in a gale and blown to Ncav Caledonia, gave vise to a good deal of suspicion. Tho Customs authorities at Townsville made careful inquiries, and are now satisfied beyond a shadow of doubt that Japanese'have been trying to hookwink the authorities. At Ingham yesterday two Japanese, were arrested on a charge of being prohibited immigrants. Cine avus sentenced to six months’ gaol, and the other avus discharged. At Stewart's Creek, a few- miles out of Townsville, three more Japanese were arrested this morning on a similar charge. Luggers in port haw. been detained by the authorities pending prosecutions for breaches of the Act. AN UNKIND CUT. HAIRDRESSER SUED. ADELAIDE, Dec. 21.—“ My mother wants me- to get an American haircut. ’ ’ This was the statement which, according to Stanley 11. George Noble, a hairdresser. Kent town, was made to him on November fi by Anne Hcyr.omann, aged 4*. A customer who was in the shop at the time said: “Let the little girl have her hair cut before me. I am in no hurry.” Noble told the child to sit down, and he bobbed her hair, as she had asked. Later in the day Mrs. lleynemann went to Noble and said: “Did you cut my daughter's hair?” I-Io replied: “Yes.” Mrs. Hcyncnuinn asked who had told him to do so, and lie stated that tho child had said that her mother had sent her. Her mother said that he had no right to cut the child’s hair, and that she would make him pay for it. The result was an action in the Adelaide local court. In giving judgment, tlie magistrate said that the child had told tlie hairdresser that her mother wanted her to have her hair cut in the American fashion. There Avas nothing to indicate that the child was not telling the truth or to lead him to suppose she did not. understand what she was doing. There would ho a verdict for defendant.