GENERAL CABLEGRAMS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2463, 17 May 1915, Page 7

GENERAL CABLEGRAMS

(By Telegraph,—Press Assn.—Copyright.) WHEAT SUPPLIES IN NEW SOUTH WALES IMPORTS TCRQPIT!III!) BEFORE NEXT II AH VEST. Sydney, May In. Mr. Rail, A ttorinjy-li'ciioral, states (hat Now South Wales will require to import, one and a half million bushels of wheat before next haivest. There aro alioady two shipment* on the Hater.

Good rains arc extending in tho Riverina (where there bus boon a drought) and districts. Tho fall has greatly brightened wheat and pastoral prospects.

SPLENDID, RAIN'S SAVE THE SITUATION. (Rec. May IG, 4.10 p.m.) Sydney, May 16. The splendid rains, which have almost been general, have saved the situation in the Jiiverina and other droughtstricken areas in the Eastern States, and have also benefitted Victoria. Wheat-growers are optimistic that a good yield will result.

In South Australia the position is much brighter.

HOUSE OP COMMONS AND THE DRINK QUESTION "QUAILING BEFORE PUBLICANS AND DISTILLERS." London, May 14. Mr. Lloyd George, in unveiling a memorial portrait of the Iter. Hugh Price Hughes at ICingsnay Hall, said: "We missed Mr. Hughes's fearlessness at a time when you had the House of Commons quailing before e.ll enraged crowd of Irish publicans and distillers." SIX O'COCK CLOSING IN HOTELS SWEEPING MAJORITY IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA. (Rec. May 16, 4.10 p.m.) Adelaide, May 16. The final result of the hotel closing referendum gave a total of 98,927 for six o'cloclr, a majority of 24,139 over all votes for other iioura.

FIRE ON THE WESTMEATH MEAT CARGO ENDANGERED. (Rec. May 16, 4.10 p.m.) London, May IS. The steamer Westmoath has arrived at Stint Vincent with her bunkers on fire. It is feared that the meat cargo will be damaged.

The F. and S. Line's chartered steamer Westraeath cleared Wellington on April 2 for Ai'aimouth, Liverpoo', and Glasgow, via way ports. Slio was due at Avonmouth on May 25, Livernjoi about May 28, and Glasgow a tout June 3.

In addition to a large general c;iigo tho Westmeath shipped the V'cwing meat freight at the undermentioned ports:—

From Dunedin—76s quarters beef, 21 carcasses veal, 892 bags meat. From 8hi2—3655 quarters beef, 1687 carcasses mutton, 89 carcasses veal, 2000 carcasses meats. From Timaru—734o carcasses mutton. 34,669 carcasses lamb. From Lyttelton—427B carcasses mutton, 12,056 carcasses lamb, 489 bags moat, 280 carcasses meats. From Gisbome—l7l quarters beef, 7127 carcasses mutton, 2554 carcasses lamb. From Waitara —128 quarters beef, 1542 carcasses mutton ; 4428 carcaasos lamb, 248 packages frozen sundries, 729 bags moat. From Wanganui—l2B quarters beef, 4207 carcasses mutton, 855 carcasses lamb. From Wellington—loo 2 quarters beef, 8263 carcasses mutton, 7879 carcasses lamb, 934 carcasses veal, 258 packages frozen sundries, 2044 carcasses meats.

The Westmcath is a steel twin-screw steamer of 8129 tons gross and 5200 tons net register. She was built iu 1903 by Furncss, Withy and Co., Ltd., and her dimensions are as follow:— Length, 470 ft.; breadth, 56.1 ft.; depth, 32.4 ft. The vessel, which is in charge of Captain Warren, was originally owned by the Federal-Houlder-Shire Line, and subsequently purchased by the New Zealand Shipping Company when Messrs. Houlder Bros, sold out of the firm. Some time ago the Union Company purchased the Westmeath from her late owners along with the Boscommon, Limerick, and Tyrone, which lastnamed steamer was wrecked at Otago Heads.