AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8386, 21 March 1907, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

NEW MAIL SCHEME. Received March 20, 9.58 a.m. MELBOURNE, March 20. , Speaking with regard to the Van--1 couver mail service,the Federal Post-master-General (Mr Austin Chapman) said there was a possibility of an improved service with a smaller subsidy from Australia. That end might-be attained by bringing New Zealand into the service. It was not easy to say what would happen if the San Francisco service was discontinued. The Postmaster-General added that a suggestion had been made some time ago to transform the Vancouver and the San Francisco services into a four-weekly schedule, at accelerated speed. Then if the two lines alternated, they would have a regular fortnightly service, which would be equally valuable to Australia, and to New Zealand. Such a service might lead to greatly increased business. The Union Company, said Mr Chapman, seemed most anxious to'meet the Government, but other companies were] ready to compete for the carriage of the mails.

STATE AND ARBITRATION COURT. GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE FINED. Received March 20, 9.45 a.m. SYDNEY, March 20. The Arbitration Court fined a man for working for the Government for less than the prescribed wage. A member of the Court paid the fine. THE TIMBER STRIKE. Received March 20, 9.45 a.m. PERTH, March 20. The strike in the timber trade has spread to seven 4arge mills, and 2,500 men are out. NEW SOUTH WALES POLITICS. Received March 20, 9.45 a.m. SYDNEY, March 20. Negotiations are proceeding for a coalition between the Parliamentary Liberal Partv and the party led by MrT.Waddell. THE POSEIDON RUSH. Received March~2o, 9.45 a.m. MELBOURNE, March 20. > Two nuggets of 108oz and 58oz, respectively, have been found at the Poseidon rush.

PURCHASES OF STUD SHEEP. Received-March 20, 9.45 a.m. 'HOE-ART, March 20. A buyer from* Mcnte Video, capital of Uruguay, who is travelling * the world in search of stud sheep, purchased the ram Patron for a thousand guineas, and two ewes for 200 guineas each. W3ST AUSTRALIAN FLOODS. Received March 20, 9.45 a.m. «, PERTH, March 20. The Gascoyne River is in higher flood than it has been for twenty-five years. There are many washaways on the railways. LAWN TENNIS. Received March 21, 1.6 a.m. "' SYDNEY, March 20. H. A. Parker, formerly of Wellington, New Zealand, maintained his top form in the opening match for the championship of New South Wales, beating Kidston by three sets straight. " •

A NOTORIOUS-CRIMINAL. Received March 20, 12.54 a.m. 'SYDNEY, March 20. John Williams, with a remarkable criminal record, having spent most of his life in prison, was to-day sentenced to seven years' imprisonment for house-breaking. He abused the Judge in the vilest language, and hoped that when he had finished his sentence he would have the pleasure of dancing on the Judge's grave.

CABLE NEWS.

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