AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 186, 24 December 1912, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

! AN AWARD ALTERED. By Cable—Prass Association—Copyright. Melbourne, December 23. Mr. Justice Higgins varied the Adelaide Tramway Company's agreement slightly in favour of the men. The Brisbane and Adelaide awards' will operate from Janury 1 next. VICTORIAN POSTAL BUSINESS. Melbourne, Decpmber 23. The report of the Postal Department shows that during the year 560 million letters and postcards passed through the post, being an increase of seventy million, an average of 95 letters and postcards per head of population. The report states that the Government still strongly favours a State owned Atlantic cable, and advocates calling a conference. New Zealand approve's, and will co-operate in the matter, but Canada is indefinite.

1 SYNEY MEAT SUPPLY. j Sydney, December 23. The interim report of the Royal Comi mission which inquired into the meat ) supply of Sydney recommends sweeping (changes in the carriage and treatment of cattle and meat. It declares that improvement is 'most urgently required. Speedier transit appears impossible without duplication of the main trunk railway*. It recommends the establishment of a municipal meat market. A REQUEST REFUSED. Sydney, December 23. Mr. McGowen declined Lady Denman's request for two small tables from Government House as a keepsake, as the Government architect reported that they were unique and of priceless value, being evidently of workmanship in the Louis XV. or XVI. period. NEW SOUTH WALES AGENTGENERAL. SYDNEY", December 23. The Government has offered Mr. T. A. Coghlan an extension of time as Agent-General for two years. A FATAL QUARREL. Adelaide, December 23. As the outcome of a quarrel over some land at Giles' Plains, Frederick Ruskin waylaid and fatally assaulted with an adze, a neighbour named Hobrand, aged 72. Ruskin surrendered himself to the police. FIRE AT BKNDIGO. Melbourne, December 23. A fire at Bendigo destroyed the shops of Paul, ironmonger, and Marks, auctioneer. A quantity of cartridges kept up <i fusilade, and caused excitement, which interfered with the suppression of the fire. The damage is estimated at £IB,OOO. A DISPUIE SETTLED. SYDNEY, December 23. The long-standing dispute between the Newstead Hupping Company and the Wharf Laborers' Union has been settled. The company has reverted to the engagement of casual hands. POSTAL REVENUE. Melbourne, December 23. The postal revenue for the past year increased by £10.584. The estimated loss through the introduction of penny postage was £470,000. 1 PROFESSORS FOR WESTRALIA. Perth, December 23. Six professors —four Australians, one English and one Canadian—have been appointed to the University. HOT WEATHER IN MELBOURNE. Melbourne, December 23. The heat wave continues. A shade temperature of 102 degrees has been registered in the city.

A BATHER DROWNED. SYDNEY, December 23. A musician named Cowan was drowned while surfiins. His son is at present on .-i.a. to Sow Zerinnd.