AUSTRALIA NEWS,

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 3190, 3 December 1892, Page 2

AUSTRALIA NEWS,

BY ELECTRIC TEI.KGBAPK—COPYRIGHT). Sydney, December 1. A bountiful wheat harvest is expected. The opinion is hazarded that Now South Wales will this year be able to supply her own wants, while another opinion is that, even if the forecasts are realised, she will still require to import a small quantity. December 2. In the Legislative Assembly, a private Bill has been introduced to legalise the totalisator. It also empowers the Postniaster-Generil to prevent the promotion of sweeps through the medium of the postoffice. An outbreak of phylloxera has occurred among the vines at Senen Hills.

Meluoukne, November 25

An actuarial report on the working of the Civil Service superannuation fund shows that the insolvency indicated some three years ago is now most distinctly intensified, At the end of 1890 the fund shewed a debit of £09,000, which was due to an ex* tranrdinary influx of pensioners during the past four years. In order to remedy this state of affairs, it is suggested that no one should be retired under sixty yoars of age, and except under very rigid regulations that a sufficient subsidy be grunted, and further that retirements under retrenchmtnt schemes should not be made a charge on the fund. An unsuccessful attempt was made to wreck the Adelaide express train by placing a trolly on the line. This is the second attempt near the same spot. December 2. In tho leading departments of business the recovery of trade has been general throughout November but there is a shrinkage compared with tho same month last year. The Government will shortly enquire into the fesibility of establishing a federal arsenal for the manufacture of all munitions of "wpr. HoBAttT, December 2. The Legislative Assembly has sanctioned the increase of the proposed loan from £1,500,000 to £2,100,000. It is expected it will be placed on the market early in the New Tear, below par.