COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3215, 10 May 1911, Page 5

COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS.

AN ALLEGED FRUIT RING

CUNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION-COPYRIGHT.] SYDNEY, May 9. Replying to ciiticisms regarding his statement that a fruit ring existed in Sydney, Mr Griffith. Minister of Works, declared that he paid 4d apiece for apples which could be obtained in Melbourne for id. The municipal authorities should open distributing shops. FEMALE IMMIGRATION. The National Council of Women, acting in connection with rumors as to the behaviour of certain female immigrants, suggested to the High Commissioner that women immigrants be examined by a female doctor, and shipped under control of a matron. A MOTOR CAR SHOW. The Royal Agricultural Society hold a motor car show] hr October. AN ARCHBISHOP’S LIBEL ACTION MELBOURNE, May 9. Mr Justice a’Beckett granited an application by defendant in the case Archbishop Clarke versus Norton a libel action, that evidence be taken before a commission in England. DROUGHTS AND HURRICANES. Mr. Hunt meteorologist, in investigating dro'ugnts, inclines ito the opinion that the breaking up of severe droughts is preceded by hurricanes. ALL HOPE FOR MISSING BOAT ABANDONED. BRISBANE, May 9. All hope as to the safety of the missing boalt Valda lias been abandoned. AN ABSURD FINE. ‘ PERTH, May 9. The secretary of the Kensington Park Turf Club has been fined 2s on changes of keeping a common gaming house and allowing bookmakers to operate on the course. The Magistrate declared that new legislation was required. SCHOOL ESSAYS—A GOOD IDEA. HOBART, May 9. Following a suggestion by the AgentGeneral, seicondaa-y school children writing essays on 'the country’s resources will compete with similar essays by Swiss school children. It is considered an excellent advertising scheme. A SUCCESSFUL APPEAL.

(Received May 9. 8.25 p.m) SYDNEY, May 9. Mr.'Caitts, a member of the Federal Parliament successfully appealed to the Full Court against the fine cabled on March Bth. The Court held that the regulation under which the fine was imposed was ultra vires. [Mr. Oa-tts, a member of the Federal House, and secretary _of the Railway and Tramways Association, was fined £3 for divulging the proceedings of the Railway Service/ Siner animation Board. Mr. Ca-tts published the information m the Association’s official organ,_ the defence being that the regulation _ prohibiting the publication was ultra vires. |

A HIGH-PRICED RAM. (Received May 10, 1.5 a.m.) SYDNEY, May 9. A BUndemar estate ram has been sold for a thousand guineas to Mr. W. Gibb, of Jerilderie.

A WEILL DESERVED FINE. PERTH. May 9. A man has been fined £lO for refusing to fill up a census paper.

spoke of the new rolling stock intended to be added.

Replying to Mr. Masseys statement that 90 per cent, of the public servants were appointed 1 by political influence, irrespective of ability, he said they had the finest body of public servants of any place in the world. He concluded by enumerating the business done during last session.