News and Notes.

Southern Cross, Volume 2, Issue 2, 14 April 1894, Page 7

News and Notes.

The Secretary of the Sydney Labor Bureau says employment for 18,000' persons was found during, the last two years, and most of those assisted are now earning good wages. Forty-three doctors lately cleared out of Melbourne because of the hardup condition of the people.

Victorian Ministers are advanced with their scheme for assisting farmers by cheap money. The leading principles have been adopted, though there are yet some details of interest to be worked out. In the main the machinery will be that employed by the Credit Poncier of France. Sums of £2OO are to be lent on freehold security, which must be double the value of the sum advanced.

A Sydney timber merchant named John Carlan has recovered £1,500 for injuries received through being knocked down by a horse belongingto the postal department. It was not denied that when the horse started thexe was no one at his head, and that the wheel of the vehicle was not locked; but it was stated that the driver was assisting the mail boy to lift a heavy bag. In order to encourage whalers to visit Hobson’s Bay before setting out for or returning from a cruise, the Customs Department has agreed that in the case of whalers, missionary and charitable vessels, the fees charged shall be no more than the animal cost of pumping the -water out of the dock after the vessel has gone into it, and the expense incurred of shoring up the vessel while in dock.

Tfc is doubtful if at any previous period in the history. of Newcastle so -many large sailing ships were bea ting towards the port of Newcastle at one time as is the case at present. The Newcastle-bound fleet (remarks the Sydney Herald) comprises ships of the greatest size, and the aggregate lifting capacity of this splendid fleet is estimated at 200,000 tons. Busy times are assuredly ahead for the coal port. Several causes have contributed to this exceptional supply of tonnage. The war troubles at Rio de Janeiro have materially assisted in diverting tonnage towards Australian ports, but the chief reason will probably be found in the inducements offered by California.

The whaling industry is being re/ived in New South Wales. The season on the coast commences at the latter end of May, and it is proposed to establish trying-out works and other necessary gear, in order to be in readiness for operating. The species of whales that frequent the coast are the hump-back black whale from the Antartic, annually travelling to lat. 19 south. Thither the whale goes to calve, returning thence to the colder regions ; and it is proposed to catch these whales as they pass along the coast on their way to the above warmer seas. The whales weigh from 5 tons to 9 tons, and produce from 25 to 80 barrels. The bone from the mouth is valued at about £250 per ton. It is also proposed to save the whole of the carcase bone, it having been found to have a marketable value.