GENERAL CABLES

Hokitika Guardian, 29 December 1931, Page 5

GENERAL CABLES

XMAS FATALITIES. (Australian Press Association.) SYDNEY, December 29. Christmas holiday tragedies were numerous in New South Wales where fixwere drowned and four killed in smashes, There were three drowning at Brisbane . BUSH FIRES, SYDNEY, December 29, The week-end was extremely hot- Eire at South Wagga swept a large area of wheat grass lands over a front of several miles. The fighters were unable to stem the flames. ADELAIDE, December 29. Fires on scrub lands near threatened a number of picnic campers who had an anxious time getting to safety. The combined efforts of men, women and children whose merry making turned to grim fight to save their 1 lives and property, were successful. FEDERAL FINANCE. LONDON, December 27. In view of the Commonwealth’s inability ito discharge five million sterling bills maturing on 31st December with Westminster Bank, it is interesting to point a.t the moment to the rate at which renewal is expectable. The 123/3 rate at which New Zealand bills were placed cabled on 15th December has been mentioned, but the general opinion is that the market finances of the two Dominions cannot be judged on the same basis. In the case of Australia, expectation has been one per cent, above the Bank rates of the' world will be asked, but Australian press understands the marked swing of the political pendulum in the Commonwealth is likely to tell in its favour and a* renewal at six and a half-WPnot over much to hope for, HEAT WAVE IN $* AUSTRALIA ADELAIDE, Doc, 28. Extreme heat is prevailing in South Australia it being well over one hundred degrees, during the past four days; while the readings at Port Pirie for the past "three days are: Saturday, 104 degrees, Sunday, 107 degrees; to-day, 109 degrees.