AUSTRALIAN.

Hokitika Guardian, 31 December 1917, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN.

[PBR PXESB ASSOCIATION. —COPYRIGHT.] NEW SOUTH WALES FINANCE. (Received This Dav at 11.25. a.m.) SYDNEY, December 31. New South Wales’ half year’s revenue shows a decrease of £175,592 compared with the corresponding half last year. HEAT WAVE. Received. tMs day at 8.45 a.m. SYDNEA r , December 31. The heat wave has returned. There is an exceptional plentitude of grass. BUSH FIRES. Received, this day at 8.45 a.m. SYDNEY, December 31. Bush fires on wide areas have swept Waggo, Hay and Forbes districts, including considerable quantities ol standing wheat.

COPRA TRADE CONCERNS. (Received This Day at 9.15 a.m.) SYDNEY, December 31. Firms interested in the copra trade are concerned over unofficial rumours that America intends to prohibit the importation of copra. Since the. war the United States has been tlio v principal market. It is understod the object is to divert a large amount of tonnage engaged in this trade fo the carrying of wheat and other products. IN BANKRUPTCY. (Received This Day at 9.30. a.m.) SYDNEY, December 31. New South Wales bankruptcy petitions for the year were 301 with liabilities £227,663, compared with 393 and £383,448 last year.

TELEPHONE RETURNS. MELBOURNE This Day. The Postmaster General’s report f r the year shows a profit of £IBOO for the telephone business, compared witli a loss of £270,000 for the previous year It is the first time it has shown a pro fit and disapproves the contention that increased charges decreases the use of the instrument.

CAUSED BY STRIKE. SYDNEY This Day. The decrease in the 'State revenue is attributed to the strike. SURPLUS OF SUGAR. (Received This Day at 10.15. a.m.) MELBOURNE This Day. Return show a likelihood of a surplus of sugar grown, of a hundred thousand tons'. Tt is expected, however, that part of the surplns will be__rp.quired to make up the deficiency in next year's crop. WESTRiALIAN FINANCE. (Received This Day at 10.15. a.m.) PERTH December 31. Tlie half year’s revenue decreased by £457,445 compared with the previous half, making the accumulated deficiency exclusive of £1,436,353 transfened last year to the deficiency account £1,081,814. THE AGE LIMIT. (Received This Dav at 10.15. t m.) SYDNEY December 31. The State Parliament assembles on 20th. January, when a bill fixing 70 years as the retiring age of a judge will be introduced. VICTORIA’S REVENUE (Received This Dav at 10.15. a.m.) MELBOURNE This Day. The half year’s State revenue increased by £541,911, compared with tho previous corresponding half.

LATEST FIGURES. (Received This Dav at 10.15. a vn ) MELBOURNE This Day. The referendum figures are. yes 944, 668. No 1,120, 760. INSURANCE REDUCTION. (Received This Dav at 10.15. a. ’n) MELBOURNE December 31 The war rates of insurance on vessels in the Atlantic between United States and Canada and Australia have been reduced to three per cent via Cape and one per cent via Panama Canal.