AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 107, 27 June 1911, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

SUGAR FARMERS AND STRIKERS. Brisbane,' June 26. A meeting in the Mackay district of sugar farmers resolved to levy 3d a ton on cane to raise a fund to combat lie strikers. It was decided to employ lice men. EARTH TREMORS. Sydney, June 26. Eleven earth tremors, tho third violent and others slight, were felt at short intervals at Milthorps on Sunday night. OPIUM RING. (Received 27, 10.35 a.m.) Melbourne, June 27. The Customs officers are convinced of the existence of an opium ring of Chinese, with ample means at their disposal to control the trade. RAILWAY ACCIDENT. Adelaide, Juno 27. Owing to the couplings breaking two portions of a train collided near .Yongala. The guard’s van was smashed to matchwood, and tho guard was killed instantly.

SHORTAGE OF LABOUR. (Received 27, 9.35 a.m.) Sydney, Juno 27. The Royal Commission on the shortage of labour has commenced its sittings. Some manufacturers stated that they had been compelled to decline orders owing to their' inability to obtain artisans. Several blamed the decline in apprenticeship, BUTTER-FAT PERCENTAGE. \ ~ . Sydney, June 27. Iho Acting Chief Secretary promised a deputation to have the but-ter-fat percentage in milk fixed at 3.2. He said the Pure Food Act required to l)o reviewed by experts to see if it can bo lowered A NEW ZEALAND STEAMER. Sydney, Juno 27. Mr. J. J. Craig, of Auckland, has purchased the steamer Bentinck for tli * New Zealand timber trade. / H. B. IRVINE’S SEASON. Sydney, June 27. The booking for the H. B. Irvine’s season is such that it has been found necessary to open the box plans a fortnight ahead, instead of the customary week, GAOL-BREAKERS. Hobart, Juno 27. Henry Cooper and William Bncknoy made a sensational attempt to escape from gaol, and a warder fatally shot Cooper. They were v,miming in the .shoemaker's shop, and during the temporary absence of one of the warders they climbed the iron Pars to the roof. Warder Driscoll called to thorn to surrender, but the men took no notice. The warder bred in the air. but the prisoners refused to ob >y. and bo then shot Cooper in the body. Buckney, seeing his companion (all, went frantic with rage, and savagely attacked the uaidcis. but was overpowered. Conner died shortly after. It was his third attempt at escape, ho nii'i'! aa.ieg been successful for a few days. The Shah of Persia possesses perhaps the most valuable pipe in the world. It belonged to Ins uncle, who received it from Ids grandfatbei. It is the Persian official pipe, and is smoked only on State occasions. It •is set: with rubies and diamonds, and is valued at £IOO,OOO.