AUSTRALIAN.

Waikato Argus, Volume XXX, Issue 4729, 14 June 1911, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN.

CABLEGRAMS

United Press Association. By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.

A Shocking Tragedy, Received 12.40 a.m., 14tb. Melbourne, June 13. A tragedy is reported from Fitzroy. A woman named Miss Ford died in the hospital on Monday night, it was supposed from natural causes. This morning her sister, Mrs Russell, was found dead, on a piece of vacant ground. Police enquiries disclosed that both died fr im poisoning. Both were addicted to drink, and Mrs Russell tried hard to keep drink from her sister, who was delicate, and threatened several times to “fix’ her, unless she abandoned the habit. Last night they were drinking with some companions, and Miss lord got liquor in spite of Mrs Russell s efforts. Mrs Russell said she would “fix” her, and gave her something to drink. Miss Ford became ill and was removed to the hospital Mrs Russell told her companions she had poisoned her sister. Mrs Russell then disappeared, and it is supposed that she swallowed some of the same poison as she gave her sister. Received 9.30 a.m., 14th. Melbourne, June 14. Mrs Russell attempted to commit suicide two years ago by throwing herself into the Yarra. but was rescued and then promised not to again attempt it unless she was sure that her sister would not suffer in consequence. She knesv that she was not always able to conquer the impulse of self-destruction, and felt that her sister alone would be unable to lift herself from the debasement into which she was falling. The White Plague. Sydney, June 12. A deputation representing the National Association for the Prevention and Cure of Consumption waited on Mr Flowers. Acting-Chief Secretary, today, and asked him to introduce a Bill to make the notification of cases of consumption compulsory, to give a grant of £2OOO in aid of the establishment of anti-tubercular dispensaries, and the dissemination of information relating to the disease. Mr Flowers said he was perfectly in agreement with the deputation in the desire to protect healthy lives frt m contamination, but he was not convinced on the question of compulsory notification. He did not thinik that the State would be justified in practically ostracising whole families, or causing additional suffering to the consumptives themselves. He favoured every precaution short of refined cruelty, but he was not in favour of genera! notification, though it might be the means of stamping out the disease of years. Sunday Trading. Received 9.35 p.m. 13th. Sydney, June 13. A deputation representing the Evangelical Council asked Mr Flowers to enforce the law re closing fruit and soft drink shops on Sundays, One speaker suggested that he ought to go the whole way and stop all trains, trams, and boats. Mr Flowers, in promising Cabinet consideration, said he personally favoured the old-fashioned Sunday, but the idea of a Puritan Sunday could not. however, be entertained today. The reaction of making such by-laws would be so great that there was no knowing where it would stop. They must be moderate. He saw no harm in providing facilities for people visiting seaside resorts to obtain reasonable refeshments. A Bill was being prepared providing for refreshment rooms within proclaimed areas to remain open for limited hours on Sundays.

MEETItGS AND AMUSEMENTS.