GENERAL CABLES.

Gisborne Times, 18 May 1906, Page 4

GENERAL CABLES.

By tfilograph. Press As«Tn t Copyrlgh Borlin, May 10. Tiro Reichstag has passod a Bill providing for tho paymont of members of an honorarium of ouo hundred pounds a yoar.

Batavia, May

Tho Batavian Niewsblad states that Dutch vessols refusod Petulant coni, considering it unsatisfactory, whilo Gorman ships bought it freoly ; therefore a German agoucy was established, though the company remained entirely Dutch.

Sydney, May 17. Up-to-Date lias boon sold to a Melbourne purchaser. The groat Cobar copper mine has been sold to an English syndicate for ££500,000. Melbourne, May 17. A cablo has been received by the Minister for Defence from Colonel Bridges, who went to England to furnish information to the Colonial Defence ('ommitteo concerning the proposals to be made for the defence of Australia The message gives some particulars of what tho Committee recommend. Tho Committee, it is understood, considers it to be necessary to spend sovoral hundred thousand pounds on now guns and fortifications before tho coastal defences can be put in a satisfactory condition, though it seems to bo understood that the expenditure can be spread over some years. A large number of new guns of heavier calibre than many in uso aro neeossarj', and the fortifications should bo considerably strengthened in tho near future. Hobart, Fromantle, Newcastle, and Adelaide aro mentioned in the last respect. Albany is not <onsiderod to bo of any great value as a fortifiod harbor, and dis mantling is recommended.

Perth, May 17

All the new Ministers except tho Prime Minister and Minister for Works have boen roturned unopposed. Application was mado to tho Full Court for a writ of habeas corpus for Maxwell, who is awaiting oxtradition to New Zealand. Objection was raised on behalf of the Crown that the rule nisi must be discharged, as the established precedent of supporting an application by putting in a copy of the warrant of commitment had not been complied with. The Court upheld the objection and discharged the rulo.

The Minister of Minos has received a report of the discovery of asphaltum of excollent quality in Albany harbor.