AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 January 1916, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

THE WHEAT CROP. Sydney, Jan. ID. The Government Statist's latest estimate for the New South Wales wheat crop is that 5,160,400 acres were sown, of which 4,175,000 were reserved for grain, yielding 02.0.10,000 bifehcls. Allowing ten per cent, for possible overestimates, the balance represents the lowest production that might reasonably be expected. On this basis 40,000,000 bushels will bo available for export. There are 507,000 aeres under hay, and are estimated to yield 1,220,000 tons. SCIENCE AND INDUSTRIES.

Melbourne, Jan. 11. The Cabinet adopted the report of the committee of the Commonwealth Institute of Science and Industries, providing that the control of the present Commonwealth laboratories should not be disturbed, but that it should be generally improved and better equipped, and the new laboratories controlled by the Institute. An advisory council will lie appointed immediately to collect industrial and scientific information and to initiate research work to promote industries.

4LF. VINCENT'S DEATH Sydney, .Jan. 14. At the inquest on Alfred Vincent, the well-known Bulletin artist, who committed suicide on December 7, his wife gave evidence that he had been suffering for some time from nervous trouble and was obsessed with the hallucination that he had been shot in the throat. lie thought the public disliked his work, and was greatly worried by the war. The verdict was that he died of a self-indicted wound during a temporary derangement.

•SYDNEY'S LOUD MAYOR. Sydney. .Tan. 1-1. Amongst many consTiitulntions Mr. Menthol', t'tii I 'now Lord Mavftr, received from Mr. Kinpr O'Mnlley. Federal Minister, n poetic effusion on his enthronement in tin- seats of the mijrhty. cmlinir: ''May yon live long and florin the An'sean stables with the .ureal niifrhty democratic lioso lilled with the waters of life.''

BROKIiX IIIIX STRIKE. Sydney, .Jan. 14. Work at the Tlroken Hill Munition Company's factory is licld lip owing to the strikes at Oldburno. Adelaide. -Tan. )-l. The ballot of the Miners' Association at Port Pirie regarding the Tlroken Hill strike resulted in a decision to continue work.

SOUTH COAST MIXERS. Sydney, Jan. 14. The ballot of the South Coast miners favored bv a larpc majority the resumption of work pending a reference of the claims to an arbitration tribunal.