AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 52, 20 February 1908, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

j .. XLIK .VAXCOCVER SKltVlCft id Melbourne, February 10. The Commonwealth Government is negotiating with the Union .Steamship Co. for an extension of the Vancouver service contract till IUO9. ,;j , , SHIPPING LAWS. Melbourne, February 10. The Federal Premier, Mr. A. i)eakin, is at a loss to understand the British Attorney-General's views on Australia's dipping legislation. Assuming that lie refers to the coastal clauses of the Navigation Bill, says Mr. Deakin, it is envious that when the Navigation Conference was sittiug in London, British shipowners raised no such objection, (SYDNEY ELECTRIC WORKS. ( Sydney, February 19. An expert who was appointed to inquire into the condition of tho City Council electric power plant reports that the engines are not in a lit or safe state to lie. in oprration at the present time. As the staff is not competent to effect the necessary repairs, ho recommends that tlio work be done by the contractors who erected the plant.

DISCOURAGING LOCAL TALENT. Sydney, February Ift. | Tim City Council lias appointed Jlr. i Slack,ay, tilt*. .Englishman, electrical on- ! gineer for Sydney, in spite of the agitation in favor of Mr. Kirk, a nativeborn Australian, A'ICTOItIAN OFFICE IN LONDON. Melbourne, February 10. The Vlftoriau Government lias aceept<•<l tenders tor the erection of a State building in London at a cost of ':C).j,OOO. SMALL-POX ON A STEAMEK. Fremanlle, February Ift. Tlie Chiik arrived fere flyii- t ]„, liiaraniine flag. Lieutenant Fisher of ulniiial Pome's start', contracted a mild It tack -of smallpox after leaving Maredles. He waa laiulea at Port Said so tmtlier eases have occurred. The esse! was lallowed pratique.