AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 May 1922, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

SYDNEY CITY COUNCIL. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Sydney, May 24. With a view to securing economy and better and more efficient control, business undertakings run by the City Council are in future to be conducted on strictly commercial lines. A start has already been made with the electrical supply, by which it is hoped to transform the present substantial loss on working into a profit, without increasing the cost of current. As an example of the expensiveness of the existing system, an Aiderman declared that, under public tender t instead of the present methods, the cost of cleaning the city could be reduced by £50,000 annually. BROKEN HELL PROSPECTS. Sydney, May 24. An exhaustive report on the geological survey of the Broken Hill mining field, which has extended over four years, states that tne outlook for the long life of the mines on the life of the Barrier lode is good. It is estimated that •20,000,000 tons of ore are available which, on the assumed depletion of 750,000 tons yearly, will give a life of 26 years to Broken HHI with its present population. The report indicates the probability of the development of the mines. Prospecting lias disclosed further extensive reserves of ore.

SYDNEY HARBOUR BRIDGE. Sydney, May 24. Cabinet discussed the visit to America iof Mr. Bradfield, Government engineer, who is prosecuting inquiries abroad respecting the construction of the Sydney harbour bridge. Cabinet decided to advise Mr. Bradfield to remain in America pending further instructions. COMMUNIST SUNDAY SCHOOLS. (Sydney, May 24. Mr. Ley is drafting a Bill aiming at the control of Communist Sunday schools. The Minister states that the Bill is on the same lines as one introduced in the House of Commons. He added that the people had tolerated machinery for disloyalty and revolution in their midst long enough. RIVER MOUTHS BLOCKED. Sydney, May 24. Owing to heavy seas on the north coast the bars at the mouth of the Tweed and Manning have shoaled up and coastal traffic is unable to effect a passage. POSTAL DEPARTMENT’S SURPLUS. Melbourne, May 24. Indications point to a surplus of £750,000 in the Postal Department. Mr. Poynton, Postmaster-General, asked if lie was prepared to reduce postal and telephone rates, replied in the negative, as he declared the Commonwealth services were the cheapest in the world. V ERBRUGGHEN’S TERMS. Sydney, May 24. Sir Arthur Rickard, chairman of the guarantee committee, has received a Fetter from Mr. Verbrugghen, stating that if he returns there must be an end to all-petty interferences with his work and the moneys due must be paid him before returning. The ccmmittee meets to-day to discuss the position and also to consider disbanding the orchestra or reducing its strength.