AUSTRALIAN ITEMS.

Waikato Argus, Volume XIV, Issue 1591, 25 June 1903, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN ITEMS.

THE DROUGHT. Sydney, JuneXH. A speo'al meeting of the Cabinet was held to-day to discuss the Broken Hill water famine. Meantime the Government has asked the local Town Council to form a water suoply committee to assist the Government officials in maintaining a domestic suppy. The Government Wains are kept running by obtaining a supply from the Silverton dam. The engineer at Stephen's creek explains that a sudden stoppage caused the town service to run dry, and hopes that when the auxiliary pumps have > started the whole will be able to supply tba mines, though it will be doubtful. A train bringing 30,000 gallons of water is expected from South Australia this morning. The Government has given instructions not to supply any of this water above domestic requirements to the mines for a day or two, until the aatual position has been defined. Several mines for the time being will keep on a number of men at Government prospecting work, which will reduce the number of those idle to some extent. The Central mine dry magnetic mine plant is not affected. The stoppage will have a serious effect on trade in Adelaide as regards both the demand for supplies and shipping of ore. June 24. No Broken Hill news is to haud today. The Government is arranging to carry out extensive road and dam works in the district so as to absorb the large number of miners thrown idle. Water is being supplied to the townspeople at half-cost by the Government from South Australia.

AUSTRALIAN STOCK RETURNS. Sydney, June 24. The stock returns for tbeyear ended December last, allowing a considerable margin iu each case for animals on adjustment outside the State, are stated to number: Sheep in the State, 26,675,000, decrease 15,1S3,000; cattle, 1,625.00,0, decrease 264,000 ; horses 421,000, decrease 34.000. The actual lambing in the whole State is estimated at 237.8 per cent.; spring lambing giving 40, autumn 201, and winter 19£ per cent. The total clip is stated at 148,096,000 pouuds, or a decrease of over 96 million pounds oa the previous year. Pigs are estimated at 193,000, showing a decrease of 72,000. JUDICIARY BILL AND PENSIONS. Melbourne, June 24. In the House of Representatives an amendment to the Judiciary Bill, striking out the provision of judges' pensions, was carried against the Government by 29 to 20. The division was taken as a test of the whole question of. pensions. The House immediately Pir Edmund Barton stating that the result of this division did not affect the Bill. PLAGUE RATS. Sydney, June 24. An increasing number of plagued rats and mice being found in various parts of the city and suburbs, the crusade against them has again been vigorously started, and the Board of Health has asked the Government to sanction the payment of 6d a head for all rats and mice. THE ESSEX. Sydney, June 24. It transpires that the damage in No. 5 hold of the Essex was caused by the breaking of one of the sanitary pipes. A cable message has been sent to the owners for instructions, meantime the unloading is proceeding. It is feared that the cargo of the Essex in the lower hold well between decks has been damaged. NEW ZEALANDERS IN SYDNEY. Sydney, June 24. At a gathering of New Zealanders a strong committee was formed to ar- • range the welcome entertainment of the New Zealand footballers. A suggestion was also favourably received to form a permanent New Zealanders. Club. WARSHIP'S ROUGH PASSAGE. Sydney, June 24. H.M.s. Wallaroo experienced a fierce gale in the Tasniau Sea, and had a rough experience, but escaped undamaged.