AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIII, Issue 7988, 17 March 1906, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

VANCOUVER MAIL SERVICE. CONTRACT TO BE CONTINUED. Received March 16, 9.22 a.m MELBOURNE, March 16. The question of the continuance of the Vancouver mail service has been decided upon. The Commonwealth had the option of determining it next July, but Mr Deakiu, the Federal Premier, has informed the Steamship Company that it ia not intended to do so. In his communication he states: "1 confidently rely upon your efforts to assist in developing the trade relations between Australia and Canada, the main purpose for whinh the service exists, and upon which its future continuance dopends." Some questions arose in the paat regarding cargo carrying that the States are entitled to, and in retbe proportion of space in steamers, there have been instances in which space was not available. This matter has been pointed out to the company, Bnd been satisfactorily settled; also cool storage. It was mentioned that the company has cool storage space on two steamers, and will, if necessary, provide it in a third. With these considerations, satisfactorily agreed upon the contract goes on for another year, and at the end of that time it is hoped the reliance placed upon the assistance of the company will bear good results, and the service prove to be commercially payable. MALOUF'S CASE. Received March 17, 12.13 a.m. SYDNEY, Marob 16. The information against Malnuf being prohibited as an emigrant has been dismissed, the Magistrate holding that the time in which the educational test should have been applied had expired. ARRESTED ON A WARRANT. Received March 17, 12.51 a.m. HOBART, Maroh 16. Robert Thomas Montague has been arrested,, on a warrant, charged with leaving New Zealand witb the property of a creditor. The Superintendent of Police produced a wire from the Sydney police to the effect that the New Zealand Department was willing to place the defendant in their bauds. The matter was adjourned, pending further instructions from New Zealand. IMPORTS OF MACHINERY. Received March 17, 12.51 a.m. SYDNEY, March 16. A return of the imports of the machinery into the Commonwealth during last year shows that they were valued at £2,067,000; £331,000 was for harvesters -and agricultural implements. " MORE CASES OF PLAGUE REPORTED. Received March 17, 12.51 a.m. SYDNEY, Maroh 16. Three more oases of plague were reported to-day. The souroe of infeotion is similar to the previous cases.