AUSTRALIAN ITEMS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 1, 24 December 1912, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN ITEMS.

(Sydney ‘Daily Telegraph.’) Our Adelong correspondent reports that, in consequence of pestering by the common bush fly throughout the district, horses are in many instances quite poor, despite a splendid season and abundant grass. “The flies will not allow them to feed, and they herd together all day, head and tail on, to escape the scourge as best they can.” ■At Adelaide ex-Constable Asker was sentenced Ity Chief Justice Way to four years’ imprisonment with Jiard labour for perjury in coneqtion .with what is known as the Currie Street “burglary,” which Asker alleged was committed on June 2, by Bertram Harris. The Chief Justice, summing up, said: “It was your duty to bring offenders to justice, but you have polluted tho stream of justice at its source. It was a cruel thing, this invention of the story about Harris having attempted to break into the premises of Bickford and Sons. Sad as it is for me to think of the pain you give to your friends, your mother and your father, who is, I understand, a respected member of the Police Force of Victoria, I cannot pass a light sentence.” - - , '4 ■ PECULIAR KNIFE ACCIDENT. William Gleeson (40), butcher, was taken to Sydney Hospital on December 7 with a severe knife wound in his chest. About 1.20 p.m. he was carving for the family’s dinner. He offered a piece of meat to a cockatoo, which was on its perch in front of him. The bird tried to bite'‘him, and in getting out of the way he slipped and fell on the knife, which he had iji his hand. Gleeson’s case is serious, as the knife has penetrated one lung. A DROWNING MAN’S GRIP. A cable from Hobart stated that a man named Jones, a chauffeur, was nearly drowned in Brown’s River. Ho went in for a bathe, and was suddenly rendered semi-conscious by a slight sunstroke. He sank, and his disappearance was noticed by another chauffeur, Bayles, who went to his assistance. Jones grabbed his would-be rescuer, and both sank. Arthur Golding swam to render help, and rescued Bayles from Jones’s dutches, and between them they held the latter up till the arrival of a boat. It took half an hour’s continuous efforts to restore Jones. CONSTABLE ACCIDENTALLY KILLED. On the evening of November 27 Contable G. Shiell. while on duty in Pennant Hills Road, was run into, from behind by a cyclist, Francis Mohhs, who was on his way to t)ie chemist for medicine for a .sick relative. The constable was thrown heavily to the roadway, his head striking the metal with great force. He was conveyed in an unconscious condition to the Parramatta Hospital, and remained in a eery bad way until Saturday morning last, when he succumbed to the injuries he received. Deceased was 53 years of age, and had been 22 years in the Police Force. He was previously stationed at Lawson and Broken Hill. He leaves a widow and three children.

MAN BURNED ALIVE

At Broken Hill a few minutes after midnight on Saturday, the 15th hist., the Central Fire received a call tq a four-roomed wood and iron house on the east side of Simple street. When li e brigade arrived the building was ablaze, and its salvage was beyond hope. i

Rumour went round that there was a man inside, but this was not heeded at first. However, when the brigade was able to enter the diningroom they found the charred remains of the occupants, a man named William Forrest, aged 49. The body was half-lying and half-sitting beside the fire-place, and was charred beyond all semblance to humanity. The clothes had been burned off, and the flesh was hanging in shreds, and skeleton being visible in parts. According to the story told by Mrs Forrest to the police the deceased was intoxicated earlier in the evening, and she left the house. She also stated that her children were sent out of the house when their father arrived. It is surmised that Forrest overturned the kerosene lamp in the diningroom when he entered.

POOR, BUT PURE

MAITLAND DAIRYMEN FINED

Four dairymen were finer! at East Maitland Police Court for selling milk not up to the required standard. The deficiency was in solids and butter-fat. The fines and costs amunted to £2 6s in each. case.

There is much indignation amongst milk vendors of the district regarding prosecutions in connection with the milk standard, and several who stated that they have found it impossible to conform with the requirements, have retired from business. They point out that they have taken milk direct from the cows and sold sold it,, and yet they have been prosecuted..

“We are being lined for honesty,*’ remarked one milk vendor, who agreed that heavy penalties should be imposed for the addition of water to milk direct from the cows and been supplying 70 gallons of milk daily to the market. He says now that he will not send another drop, hut will separate it instead, and sell the cream. Another dairyman in, the same locality, who used to supply a simlar quantity, lias also decided on the same course. The deficiencies are attributed to the dry weather, and vendors contend that allowances in tiie standard should he made for the seasons and the time of the year. Another difficulty dairymo?' in some localities had to conteiid witn was a plague of caterpillars, which stripped the naddorks. An indignation meeting is being convened.