AUSTRALIA NEWS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 22, 9 January 1912, Page 5

AUSTRALIA NEWS.

SERIOUS CHARGE BY HENNIKER HEATON. CABLES KEPT IDLE. Melbourne, January 8. Mr Hcnniker Heaton, advocating cheap cables, says that while each of the four or live, lines to Australia had a yearly capacity of ten million words, the total number sent over them was only seven and a half million. Ho contended that some of the lines were deliberately kept idle by'trusts. JAM INDUSTRY ENDANGERED. (Received 9, 9.45 a.m.) Hobart, January 9. The jam industry in Tasmania is threatened owing to inability to obtain sufficient supplies of sugar through the refusal of Sydney wharf labourers to work overtime. Several vessels have sailed leaving quantities of sugar on the wharf. The proprietors of the biggest factory have threatened to close their works. A DISASTROUS FIRE. (Received 9, 9.15 a.m.) Brisbane, January 9. In a ’ disastrous lire at Pjttsworth, five buildings in the principal business block were destroyed, and were still burning early this morning. GOYFJINOR-GENFRAL’S RESIt ‘ ! DENCE. *1 | : Phy j- | , (Received-9, 9.45 i a.m.) Sydney, 'January 9. jiTn, reply to expressions of general regret at jthe Government’s action in withdrawing the vice-regal residence tfromtsEedpral use, Mr Holman states that the business of maintaining the dignity of the Governor-General and providing all possible hospitality to august visitors is the Commonwealth’s and not the State’s duty to supplement omissions in Federal management. LARGE HAILSTONES. Melbourne, January 8. A destructive storm visited the .Mudgce district, and hailstones fell which - ' Pleasured 37 inches in circumference. A large area of vines, other fruit, and pumpkins was destroyed. ?■ J;i r ” ft AND SETTLEMENT. Brisbane, January 8. The Land Department reports tiiat last year 6,261,719 acres were selected, nearly half a million above the previous year. A SURGEON DROWNED. (Received 9, 10.40 a.m.) Brisbane, January 9. The surgeon of the steamer Taiyuan has been lost overboard between Fort Darwin and Thursday Island. FEDERAL HOUSE PROROGUED. (Received 9, 10.40 a.m.) Melbourne, January 9. Parliament has been prorogued till February 6th.