Abridged Items.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3614, 30 December 1905, Page 2

Abridged Items.

Calcutta, December 27. The Tashi Lama, of Tibet, visited Lord Minto, the Viceroy, at Calcutta.

London, December 27. Advices from Ottawa are to the effect that Canada has resolved on a more vigorous propaganda to attract immigrants in view of Australian efforts in the .same direction. Sir Edwin Cornwall, chairman of the London County Council, suggests that an annual conference* of the capital cities be held to consider problems specially arising in the large centres of population. Rome, December 27.

A Vatican White Book just published throws the responsibility of the rupture with France upon the French Government. London, Dec. 27.

King Edward has assured General Booth that he watches with the greatest ' interest the Army’s important experiment in home colonisation which: Mr Herring’s donation makes possible. Sydney, December 28. Business people of the City report that the trade of ’Xmas week was the largest recorded for years. The weather in the western districts is intensely hot and there are many high' records, Bourke topping the list with 118 Brewarrina and Moree 117. The bush fires continue and in many districts large areas of grass and crops have been swept awayj As a result of the increased price of leather the Boot Manufacturers Association has announced a rise in the price of all boots and shoes from January Ist of from five to fifteen per cent. Advices have been received that owing to keen competition with the Germans in Australian trade steps are being taken to . form a strong combination of British steamship companies. The house of a farmer named Laity was burned down at Jerilderie. Mrs Laity and an infant perished. Two brothers named Baxter were drowned while bathing at Goulbourn.

Melbourne, Dec. 28. A boat crossing the river Murray at Rutherglen capsized. Mr and Mrs Mann and their daughter and the boatman Leach were drowned. Mr Deakin states the AntiTrust Bill will be the first measure considered next session.