AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 47, 4 June 1910, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

DAMAGES FOR LIBEL. By Cable—Press Association—Copyrigli Received June 3, 9 .p.m. Brisbane, Last Night. Captain Joe Straehan's action against the BrisbaSfc, Newspaper Company, claiming £SOO damages for alleged defamation, resulted in a verdict ror £SOO damages and costs for plaintiff. SALARIES OF MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT. Sydney, Last Night. The Labor Congress resolved to favor the raising of the salaries of members of Parliament to £4OO. It was contended that the present salary of £2OO was totally inadequate as a living wage. SALVING THE PERICLES.

Perth, Last Night. The Pericles Salvage Company has been formed with a capital of £6OOO, and commences operations next week. Received June 4, 1.30 a.m. I Perth, June 3. Three hundred tons more of the Pericles' cargo has,' been salved, and the masts are now visible. BREAD CHEAPER. Received June 4, 1.30 a.m. Melbourne, June 3. The price of the four-pound loaf has been reduced to 5y 2 d. THE PRICE OF BRICKS. Sydney, June 3'. The price of bricks has been raised 4s, and now stands at £2 2s per 1000. The increase, which is greatly hampering building operations', is said to be due to the wages of brickmakers. On the other hand it is pointed out that an increase of Is per 1000 would have met this demand. The Federal Attorney is inquiring into the case and, if necessary, will take action against the brick combine. [A few years ago the iprice of bricks in Sydney was only 30s per 1000.] EAiRTH TREMORS IN N.S.W. Sydney, June 3. During the last three days the Seismograph at the Observatory has recorded shocks, the largest on June 1, which was the most important since February. A preliminary tremor reached Sydney at 4in the afternoon. The principal nhase commenced five minutes later, and long waves continued for nineteen minutes. A STEAMER BEACHED. Svdney, June 3. The North Coast steamer MaeLeay bumped the MacLcay bar and s!pTang a lend. The crew were at the pumps all night, and the vessel re-entered the river and was beached.