AUSTRALIA.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9535, 6 May 1909, Page 1

AUSTRALIA.

."United Press Association— By Electrio ; . -Telegrapb-7-Copyrignt. THE GARDEN ISLAND DISASTER. ■: SYDNEY, May 5. A deputation representing the La-> fbour Council, Seamen's Union and Merchant Service Guild^asked Mr Wade to return the certificate, of Captain Hansen, master of the Dunmore, which suspended in connection with the naval launch disaster, considering he had been harshly treated. Mr h W,ade declined the request and said that he could see ,no grounds for re-opening. the case.- '■■.■■ FOUND GAGGED AND BOUND.. Early this morning Kerr, night officer at'Marrickville Railway Station, was found gagged and bound. He stated that hearing & knock he opened the d»»r and received a blow. : A man, entered and a struggle followed. . A second man appeared and. after, gagging ; and- binding Kerr, rifled the, safe of £28 in coin and stamps and relieved [ Kerr of two gold watches and cash. The two men tfien decamoed. Kerr has been arrested on a charge of stealing money from the safe. A MODEST CLAIM. BRISBANE, May 5. A Queenslander describing himself as the discoverer of the first payable gold in Queensland has sent a bill to Mr Fisher, the Federal Premier, for £11,725,000. He claims £36,000, for nine discoveries of gold, £288,000 as interest on that sum since 1861, and £11,437,000 as his share of the minerals produced in the State since 1860. He asks for a settlement of the claim within, fourteen daye ,to save further trouble. \ ■ .