AUSTRALIAN.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXiX, Issue 7729, 24 February 1909, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN.

Per Press Association —Copyright

SHORTAGE IN THE WEIGHT OF COAL. SYDNEY, February 24. With reference to the short weight of coal shipmeuts, the Newcastle shippers say that the railway weighbridges are mainly to blame, but the Department denies this, and asserts that the weighbridges are tested weekly. (The following is the original message- on the subject:— The British Chamber of Shipping has decided to investigate the complaints of shortage in the weights of coal shipped at Newcastle, New South Wales. The losses are roughly estimated at 4 per cent. NEW SOUTH WALES LOAN. The Agent-General cables that tho unrest in Eastern Europe is affecting the public subscription to the New South Wales loan. DUBIOUS JAPANESE FIRMS. Mr Levien, the Victorian Agent in the East, states that he made enquiries on behalf of the Federal authorities into the bona fides of certain Japanese firms doing business in Sydney. His investigations prove that the business is a blind kept gong by Government money, to cover the operations of partners who are engaged in the Japanese Government Secret Service, undef Consular supervision. The Japanese Consul ridicules the story, . and emphatically denies the truth of it. THE HEAT IN VICTORIA. (Received February 24, 10.20 a.m.) MELBOURNE, February 24. The hottest day for the season was yesterday, when the ■temperature in the city was 108 degrees. "MELBOURNE, February 24. The two new Tasmanian cables have been successfully laid. MANUFACTURE OF WOODEN MATCHES. MELBOURNE, February 24. The English firm of Bryant and May Invi decided to establish a wooden match factory in Melbourne. They expect to commence operations by the end of the year. THEFT OF JEWELLERY. PERTH, February 24. Burglars entered the shop of Rosenwax, a pawnbroker, and stole £800 worth of jewellery.