AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8548, 4 October 1907, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

THE COAL "VEND." PRICE OF COAL INCREASED. Received October 3, 9.43 a.m. SYDNEY, October 3. As was indicated would be the case a meeting of the Northern Colliery Proprietors' Association, the members of which comprise the coal "vend," fixed the price of Newcastle coal. From January Ist next the price for best coal will be eleven shillings, and other classes will be advanced in a relative degree. It was understood that the proprietors intended to discuss the question of raising the price to twelve shillings. The increase decided on carries an advance of fourpence per ton, the hewing rate counting.

THE FIRE ON THE FORTUNATUS. . LUCKY RESCUE OF A FIREMAN. Received October 3, 10.13 a.m. MELBOURNE, October 3. _ A letter received from the captain of the steamer lona, at Port Said, reports the rescuing of a coolie fireman from the Fortunatus ten days after the Fortunatus was abandoned afire. During that time the man was without food or water, and it is a mystery how he escaped from perishing. as the whole vessel was a mass of fire. He had two or three small Lurns, but otherwise was all right. When last seen the Fortunatus was a blazing shell, with a list to port. Her sides were red hot. THE PACIFIC CABLE. . Received October 3, 9.45 a.m. MELBOURNE, October 3. The Federal Premier (Mr Deakin) stated in the House that the Commonwealth proportion of the Pacific cable Joss for 1906-7 was only £18,307, compared with £30,372 in 1902-3. THE BAKERS' STRIKE. MEN'S DEMANDS CONCEDED. . Received October 3, 9.43 a.m. MELBOURNE, October 3. The bakers' strike is practically over. The bulk of the employers have conceded the unionists' demand for a weekly wage of 545.

NEW SOUTH WALES POLITICS. Received October 3, 9.43 a.m. SYDNEY, October 3. Mr Carruthers, the late "Premier, is improving in health. He declares his intention of retiring from active politics. Dealing with the State finances, he said he anticipated that this year would end with a surplus of over two and a half (?) millions.

LOCAL OPTION POLL. Received October 3, 9.43 a.m. SYDNEY, October 3. The local option vote returns are still unfinished. Sixty-five electorates voted for reduction, and twentythree for continuance.

MR BENT'S BUDGET. Received October 3, 11.32 p.m. MELBOURNE, October 3. Mr T. Bent delivered his Budget this afternoon. The revenue for the year amounted to £8,313,241, which is £758,673 in excess of the estimate. The expenditure was £7,501,031, or £49,000 less than the estimate, The surplus for the year was £812,210. The estimated revenue for the current year was £8,101,782. The estimated expenditure was £57,954 more than the preceding year, due to an increase of sixpence per da'y to certain employees and an increase in the price of coal, rails, timber and metals. The Government intended to introduce a Railway Bill creating a railway interest reserve fund limited to £300,000 and a railway additions and improvement fund limited to £200,000.