AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 155, 22 June 1908, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

sYDNSY. AND MELBOURNE. Sytlnoy. .June 20. The population of .Sydney at the close of hint year was .5.50,1(00, anil trial of Melbourne .VISJHK). Sydney anil M'l - bourne are now the eighth and ninth' cities of the Empire. TDIBER SHIPMENTS REJECTED. .Sydney, June 20. Two shipment* of sleeper?, aggregating 20.000, which were gent to South Africa, were rejected oil arrival there though tliey hail been passed by the (Jevernment inspector here as being in :e----cordanee with specifications. The (.Jovernment in communicating with the authorities in South Africa on I lie subject. THE AMERICAN FLEET. Sydney. June 20. I

At a meeting of the Citizen's Committee which is arranging t lie entertainment of the American licet, .Ui-50 Tift.s". donated to the entertainment funds i<4 two minutes. • STEAMER SERVICE To FIJI. Melbourne, June 20. The Premier has received a cablegram from Fiji stating that the Oovernment. subject to the approval of the American Secretary of State, propose* to vote .€.50(1 to subsidise a direct steamer service between Melbourne and Fiji. PACKET LICENSES.

Sydney. June 20. The chief steward of 1 ■!>' been pi-ncccdcd against tor selling vine to two jins-engcr* after the steamer wi" moored, Counsel for the defence jais.'d the point that the Mocraki was Oil n foreign register, and therefore not subject to the local law. He also argued that the owners were exempt under the Liquor Act. as the sale was made before the wine wa-, landed in Australia, and therefore the sellers need not take out a jacket licence. The Court reserved! judgment. STOLEN PEARLS. Perth, .Tune 2rt. Two brothers engaged in pearl fishing at Onslow hiil their stock of pearls / worth £3OO, in some old clothe* whijCA 1 they placed in a portmanteau, thinkiinj that the gems would be safe the*?. Thd portmanteau has now been -tolen J -it i« Supposed for the sake of the clothe alone.