AUSTRALIAN AFFAIRS.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 October 1920, Page 6

AUSTRALIAN AFFAIRS.

A DISASTROUS FIRE. By Telegraph.—l'iesi Assn.—Copyright. Sydney, Oct. 24. Oldham's conchlmilding factory at Clebe was almost totally destroyed by lire. The damage amounted to £50,000. —Atts.-N.Z. fable Assn.

GOOD PKOSPICCTS TOR CROPS, Sydney, Oct. 25. Useful rains have fallen over a wide area during the past few days and the crop and pasture reports are most cheering. The outlook is good. Victorian reports also are good and in South Australia rains over the wheat areas practically assure a bounteous harvest. The latest estimates indicate that the Treasurer's Budget estimate of a 15bushel average is likely to be exceeded! On the whole Australia's present crop prospects arc the best for years.—Aus.N\Z. Cable Assn.

VARIOUS ITEMS. Melbourne, Oct. 24. The (ensure motion was defeated by 40 votes (n IS. .Mr. Crogory's amendment was carried on the same division. Additional State election figures show that Mr. Hutchinson was defeated by the farmers' candidate. Several seats arc still doubtful, but the Government, with the support of the Farmers' Party will have a majority of two to one. The later-t figures of the liquor poll are: Continuance 2110,000; reduction 32,500; no-license 178,000. The Booroondara. district, in which the Caulfield racecourse is situated carried no license, and the racecourse will be dry after 11)20.

.Sydney, Oct. 2,">. Mr. Justice Pring lias declined to report further on tlie (ieorgeson wheat contracts, saying that lie lias nothing further to add to his previous report. Melbourne, Oct, 25. The price of export coal has been fix'ed at 4s above the previous price. Mr. Campbell, honorary, Minister was defeated by Mr. Thomas (Labor).

Two districts out of 210 secured the necessary three-fifths majority for nolicense. The progress figures are: Continuance 2113,000; reduction 33,00(1; nolicense 10S,.')o0. Brisbane, Oct. '2:>. A cyclonic storm caused considerable damage in the city and suburbs on .Sunday afternoon. Norman .(deques, a. cricketer and footballer, was. killed bj lightning; and houses and factories wrecked.