GENERAL CABLE NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 444, 1 March 1909, Page 7

GENERAL CABLE NEWS.

(BY TKLEGUAPH —PItESS ASSOCIATION —COPTBIGHT.)

SATURDAY HALF-HOLIDAY.

. Melbourne, February 27. The Metropolitan Saturday Half-holiday Bill has, passed both Houses. From May ail shops, with the exception of a few businesses, will,close at one o'clock on Saturdays'.

DEPRESSION IN NEWCASTLE.

Sydney, February 27. The depression in tho Newcastle district is so acute that many miners are on the verge of starvation.

A MANSION DESTROYED.

Adelaide, February 27. "Mount Breckan," a beautiful private mansion at Port Victor, 4 miles south of Adelaide, was destroyed by fire. Tho damage is estimated a:t £25,000.

GAMBLING COMPETITIONS.

(Rec. February 28, 4.30 p.m.) LondGn, Fobruary 27. Mr. Gladstone, Homo Secretary, has promised a deputation of proprietors and editors of newspapers to introduce legislation regarding the question of gambling competitions in newspapers.

STEEL AND COPPER.

New York, February 26. There is continued excitement in tlio steel markot qn "Wall Street. An open market for copper has been declared.

QUESTION OF QUALITY.

<lt.ee. March 1,. 1.8 a.m.) Sydney, February 28. Tbo Now Zealand Government agency is investigating several cases where goods alleged to bo of New Zealand origin havo been offered for sale. In one instanco, what were stated to bo Now Zealand ilannel goods were displayed which turned out not to bo flannel at all, but mere shoddy.