AUSTRALIAN.

Te Aroha News, Volume I, Issue 37, 16 February 1884, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN .

Melbourne, February 7.— Arrived, this morning : Tarawera. The Marchioness of Normanby id now slightly better, but still seriously ill. Melbourne, February 7.— ln their wool sales this week the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company (Limited) offered 1,550 bales/of which 1,370 were sold at satisfactory prices. Low crossbred wools and inferior qualities generally were easier in sympathy with the London market. For scoured and high-class wools good competition was experienced, and the present quotations were equal to those ruling during the season. Several parcels of New Zealand wools sold fairly well. Melbourne, February 11.— Mr Speight, Chairman of the newly-constituted Railway Board, arrived by the Lusitania. The Marchioness of Normanby, who has been seriously indisposed since the 3rd inst., is now much better. Sydney, Feb. 7.— lt is announced that it is the intention of Government to propose some modifications in the scheme of taxation set forth in the Treasurer's budget. It is stated that personal effects, such as furniture and wearing apparel, will be exempt from Property Tax, and that the limit of exemption will be increased to £500. It is further stated that the tax will be fixed at a halfpenny in the £, instead of a penny as proposed. Sydney, February 7. —It is considered likely that the Government will postpone the consideration of the proposed revision of the tariff, and proceed with the property tax scheme and increased duty on tea and tobacco. Sydney, February 8. — A motion setting forth that the financial proposals of the Government are not satisfactory has been tabled by Mr Young in the Legislative Assembly. It is understoc d that the mover is not acting in concurrence -with the leaders of the Opposition party. Further details in connection with the proposed tax on property have transpired. Under the bill to be introduced, banks will pay the full amount of the tax on the whole of their shares, charging a proportionate amount against each shareholder. Foreign banks will be called upon to pay in proportion to the extent of their operations in the colony. Sydney, February 8. — The intercolonial cricket match, Victoria v. New South Wales, commenced here to-day. The home team went in first, and were all out for I(i9 runs. At the close of the day's play the Victorians had lost two wickets for 23 runs. Sydney, February B.— The Government Bill for validating the scats of Messrs Keid, Sutton, Cohen and others, whose elections were irregular, has been laid aside, and is to be re-introduced. Sydney, February B.— New Zealand wheat per bushel is 3s 4d, and New Zealand oats 2s lid ; maize is 4s ; Sugar Co.'s No. 1 pieces, per ton, remain at t'34. Adelaide, February B.—Wheat.—Today's quotations are : Buyers 3s 9d, sellers 4s. Flour has slightly recovered the recent fall. Town brands are now quoted at £9 15s to £1", and country ditto at £8 10s to £'8 15s.