COMMONWEALTH CABLES.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 16, 19 January 1914, Page 6

COMMONWEALTH CABLES.

SYDNEY FIRE REPORT.

[By Electric Telegraph—Copyright [United Press- association.! (Received 9.49 a.m.)

Sydney, January 19

The annual report of the Fire Brigade shows that there were IJUU tires in the Metropolitan area last year, sixteen being classed as serious. The report urges the necessity of a highpressure salt-water service with mains honeycombing the business portions of the city. THE STATE'S FINANCE. The State Treasurer proposes tc suspend the operation of the sinking fund till the deficit of £1,900,000 if wiped off the State accounts; also tfmodify the income tax in such a way us. to bring in more revenue. DIRECT ACTION. The wharf laborers only worked ordinary- hours on Saturday. Thu resulted in chaos. The Willochra left a quantity of untendered cargc on the wharf, and other steamer.were delayed or sailed without portions of their cargoes. It- is understood that this ‘‘direct action” is a result of the failure o the Melbourne conference to effect ; settlement.

The men are demanding two slid lings per hour overtime instead oi Is (id and 2s 3d respectively. > Mr Hughes believes that the men’ action in declining to work*overtim represents the deliberate intentioi of the Sydney branch of the Fed era tion. Presumably a small soctior of extremists precipitated the trouble AN EDUCATIONAL MATTER. The Minister for Education, it opening the now Clifton school, con demned the policy of importing ox peris from abroad to take precedent over Australians. Every encourage ment should bo given to fit thei own men for the highest positions i. the land.

MURDERED HJS WIFE

Brisbane, January 19

Henry Feme Hopgood called ai the police station at Morven Hill and stated that his wife had bcci trying to poison him, and he ha killed her in the timber yard.

The police investigated, and foum the body of Bridget Hopgood witl two wounds on the left forehead.

DEATH OF LADY SELL.

Obituary: Lady Bell, widow of th< late Sir Joshua Bell.

“BLACK” WHEAT DISPUTE. Sydney, January 19. The Telegraph understands that tin New South Males branch of the led erafcioti of Labor was officially ap proachid by the Workers’ Union witl a view to having the embargo oi “black” wheat extended by tin uiiionis governed by tlic Federation. If this had been agreed to, whea would be blocked on certain railway lines. HARDOR NAVIGATION. Fresh regulations are gazetted go verning harbor navigation.

TECHNICAL INSTRUCTION.

A new scheme of technical instruction in trades schools is proposed b\ the Minister for Education, to com menco in the beginning of the nqv term. Courses have been prepared ii building, plumbing, house painting and decorating, sign painting, engin eeriiig, leather manufacture, piint ing, baking, tailor-cutting, bootmak ing. and in the structural and art is tic trades.

AN AMERICAN JOURNALIST.

Brisbane, January 19

Mr Walter Williams, au American journalist, designer of Jho idea of e school of journalism, has arrived h; the steamer Matarana. Ho intends visiting the islands. He is studying the methods’of journalism in different parts of the world and is deputed by the associated daily newspapers of America to write article; on social, political, industrial and economical questions. Referring to the wool ‘coat roversy he said that only a small percentage objected to ircc wool. THREE MEN DROWNED. A motor boat accident occurred near River View, whereby- three men were drowned, viz., Constable Kearney, Joe Green and Bichard Evans. The other occupants wore rescued. It is believed the boat struck a rock. WATERSIDERS’ STRIKE. The watersiders at Wallaroo ceased work on Saturday owing to the refusal of the employers to grant them the same rate in handling salt as they do for wheat, viz., fourteen shillings a day.