THE COMMONWEALTH.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 14042, 28 October 1909, Page 5

THE COMMONWEALTH.

CANTEENS AN 1) CIGARETTES. Press Association-By Telegraph-Copyrigtt MELBOURNE, Oct. 27. A Bill, abolishing naval and inililary canteens and prohibiting ihe sale of cigarettes to cadets while in training, has lieen introduced. A LOCAL OPTION. | . I Mr Kelly gave notice in the House of a motion, in favour of prohibiting Ihe sab l of inloxicanfs in the precincts of Parliament House. PROPOSED REFERENDUM. SYDNEY, Oct. 27. i The Assembly adjourned the debate on Mr Cann's motion favouring a. referendum on the abolition of the Legistive Council and the offices of State Governor and Agent-Council. GOOD HARVEST OUTLOOK. The.' "Sydney Morn inn; Herald" predicts that if tho present favourable prospects be fulfilled, there will be a 16-bushel wheat harvest. Received 10.30 p.m., Oct. 27th. A WARNING TO CHEMISTS. At the inquest on Sharpe, the victim of tho William street explosion, a. verdict was found of accidental death caused by the upsetting of camphorated oil while heating. Expert evidence said it was probable that the cause of the explosion was vaporised benzine, a quantity of which was kept in the cellar, coining into contact with the flames from the oil. THE LATE SIR D. COOPER. The New South Wales estate of the late Sid Daniel Cooper is valued for probate purposes at £418,600. ISLAND MURDERS. Island news states that a native of Aoba, New Hebrides, clubbed his wife and child to death. Tho murderer was arrested. Two other natives hacked to. death a third, who was caught stealing. The. murdered man's tribe demanded vengeance, and secured the head of a man belonging to the murderers' tribe. Received 0.55 a.m., Oct. 28th. SOLAR OBSERVATORY. MELBOURNE, Oct. 27. Lord Dudley presided over an influential meeting to advocate the establishment of a solar observatory. He. urged that it was an important proposal. One of the main reasons in favour of an observatory was tho geographical position of. Australia, which was most suitably situated to fill up the gap in the chain of observatories round the earth. The proper conduct of solar research depended upon continuous observations throughout the 24 hours. The estimated initial cost is £IO,OOO, and the annual upkeep £ISOO. It was resolved that the establishment of a solar observatory is desirable, and that the Federal Government be strongly urged to assume the responsibility of carrying it, into effect.