AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIII, Issue 7984, 13 March 1906, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

AN UNPOPULAR SYSTEM. HEAVY FLOODS. Received March 13, 1.7 a.m. SYDNEY, March 12. The proposal of the Federal Government to introduce the telephone toll system has aroused strenuous opposition. At a large meeting of telephone subscribers it was deoided to oppose the system by every constitutional means. Heavy rains hav9 fallen in the Riverina and other parts of the State. The country round the White Cliffs is an unbroken sheet of water for forty miles. People took refuge in the house-tops, until the flood abated.

THE TAHITI HURRICANE. Received March 13, 1.7 a.m. NEWCASTLE, March 12. Two vessels from the West Coast of Amerioa have arrived here, and report having encountered a terrific hurricane in the vicinity of Tahiti. One vessel was in $ tornado for eighteen hours. Both vessels were thrown on their beam ends, and mountainous seas were rolling over them. FIRE IN A MINE. Received March 13, 1.7 a.m. SYDNEY, March 12. A fire broken out in the Proprietary Mine, and is extending southward to Mpßryde's shaft. HEAVY RAINS IN QUEENSLAND. Received March 13, 1.7 a.m. BRISBANE, Maroh 12. Heavy rains are falling generally. HOMEBUSH MARKETS. Received Maroh 13, 1.7 a.m. SYDNEY, March 12. At the Homebuah markets prices are very active owing to short supplies. Best crossbred wethers ranged from 18s 3d to 24s 9d, best ewes 18s to 19s, best bullocks £l2 1.45, cows £7 15s; beef brought 24s per lOOlbs.