AUSTRALIAN.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 March 1923, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. REGISTRATION OF CONTRACTS. SYDNEY, March 2.'5 The Australian Metal Exchange will cease the duty of registering contracts for the sale of metals. The collectot of Customs will issue permits to ship, in future, on receipt oi the usual information. SYDNEY. March 23. The hides market was firm and the previous week’s values were readily obtainable, excepting lights, which were* irregular: Barley, English malting. 3s (Id to 3s Did. and Gape 3s Id to 3* 2UI : oats, 3s si to 3s Old: potatoes Co 15s to £‘G ; onions C 3. MOTOR BUSKS IN SYDNEY. SYDNEY. March LI. Hardly a week goes by that several 'bus (omluetor- are not fined m Sydney for having permitted overloading. So it is that the ’bus proprietors have broken out again with the hitter complaint that of all the transport bodies which handled passenger traffic in Sydney the ’buses are alone subjected to close penalisation for overcrowding. It L contended that if the prosecutions continue as they have been doing, the 'bn.* proprietors will ultimately be driven out of the business. If su-ii were to happen, it is almost mnrails certain, that the tramway system would he thrown into a state of chaos, and tram travellers know that it is had enough as it i.s. In the tsydiiey district there are between 301) and H■ 1 1 •buses, and they move, it is estimated nearly 90(1.00(1 passengers each week. I- will readily he seen, therefore, that tie- 'buses are something ill the natur- ,,| boon and a blessing to the *rav l!,,vs who formerly had to depend upon j ■ 1 |( . [j v inadequate transport facilities ef Ibis ovevcrawale.) city BEEF INDUSTRY in danger. SYDNEY. March 23. Mr Cramsie. Chairman el the Australian Meat Council declares that the beef industry of Australia is in danger of extinction in consequence of the lowprices obtaining in England. Tne -Argentina recently secured an army Cott-ti-m-t for £I.OOO-000 at a rate which Australian growers were unable to accept without loss. Re urged that Britain should give preference to Australia otherwise Australia would have to go out of the markei. The American beef trust will not pcimil Britain to have as cheap meat as when c qm net it ion was keen. DEFENCE -MATTERS. SYDNEY. March 22. The Federal Defence Council decided that no material change in defence matters was contemplated pending ihe Imperial Defence < ’oil I'ereliee. The Federal Cabinet decided that the graves of all soldiers buried in Australia shall he eared for by the Commonwealth after the 31sl. March. THE COCK MANUSCRIPTS SYDNEY. March 22. The library authorities and bookmen generally are elated at the pup. ha-o ot the Cook manuscripts. They consider it a cheap bargain, and expected they would have to pay much more. A leading bookseller declared that when Ait-lralia comes into her own. the money value, of Lot I alone, will hi* led Ic-s than £50.0110 sterling. It transpire- that when the Trustees ot .New j South Wales Public Library decided to become the purchasers they were not j aware that the Commonwealth Govern- i ment also intended to he a bidder. However. after the departure of their agent Mr .1. {Pmld. for Loudon, the Prime Minister informed them that a- the do , un-e-nts were of a national character, it was decided to obtain ihom lor .Australia. A n-nngoiuoiits were then made for Could to act as agent of the Commonwealth it: bidding. In view ot the i. ; fiat the Commonwealth Government is finding the purchase money. t! u . library authorities are returning the moneys to the citizens who had -riled a considerable sum towards I lie ,michase. Milelm! Library. Sydney, will have the custody ot. the documents, until the Commonwealth has a suitable j-erma-neni depository. t SERIOUS IMRES. SYDNEY. March 23 Two simultaneous fires seriously damaged Foy Ltd’s hoot Store in Pill Street, and Manning Chambers in another part of thi> same street occupied by various firms, ft is estimated the combined damage to he in the vicinity of CoO.nnn. league footh.all. SYDNEY. March 2.1 The annual report ot the NewSouth Wales Rugby League shows ns an item the sum iff L'l 192 spent in furthering tho interests ol the League game in New Zealand.