Australian Cables.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 9 May 1913, Page 3

Australian Cables.

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(Received Thi& Day, 11.00 a.m.) l> MR CIV AL" S COLD COM FORT

SYDNEY. This .Day

Protessor Percival, volcanologist, of I'liebuig University, who is returning [o Germany, predicts si big blow-up in New Zealand perhapt more destructive than the famous Tarawera. He says that the cause of volcanic energy in New Zealand is along a lino of fault, running through tli!' middle of the flay of Plenty and across the North Island north north-east to south southwest. He noticed a great increase of activity in Kotmiia since his visit in 18H1. whence (with other indications) In- deduced an outbreak was likely. ITo declared that if the mimiietic pull operated over that region tho eruption would occur. Tarawera was the safety valve of that area, but the crater of Tarawern was tilled up. and probably finally extinct. There must bo some vent foi volcanic energy, and it was impossible to say where and when it would break forth.

UATNLY AROI'T THE SEA

ADELAIDE, This Day. Tin-'Commonwealth flag has been unfurled on the site of the proposed naval base at C'ockburn Sound, which has been named Henderson Fleet TJase. Senator Poarcc .at the ceremony, stated that the base comprised a complete dockyard. The Government was considering tin building of complete slips for the building of battleships and cruisers, besides ship-repairing sections and {i float ing dock that would accommodate, tlio largest warship afloat. PORT DARWIN, Tin's Day. The strike is unchanged. On the Chinese steamers the coolies refused to work, and more carpenters are (•casing work owing to the lack of labourers to assist.

Tlif Sydney Morning Herald says tli.'it the arrival of vessels on Monday lends colour to fl helie.f thai in shipping circle* nti understanding has been reached by a number of traders tVom lOriglaml niul America •to Austrnlin. and New Zealand. Tliis iiiipre>sion Ikis arisen owing to r< , cent purchase-; of steamers, and a series of departures from the ordin nry services of certain linos. Foi instance, many of tbe New Zealand Shipping Company's liners now load at Liverpool instead of the FedenaiTJoulder's steamers, -which formerly pmiutnincd the West of England trade. Tt is reported that some time niio » portion of the FoderaiH'jiikler interest was purchased by tin; Xew Zealand Shipping Company; also that tht' Union Company had wen red a share, hut on these points .1 definite announcement was unobtainable. Since then, an important merging of shipping interest si pears to h.ivu occurred, which has caused i> suggestion of pooling of interests. It is difficult to determine whether the Shaw-Saville line is included; but if not. it is a strangf coj)K-idence that their steaniers now load regularly at Montreal and St. John's, together with the Xew Zealand Shipping Company, which built up that trade in the first placo.