AUSTRALIAN CABLES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 51, 28 February 1906, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN CABLES.

ANNUAL MEETING OF CITIZENS' LIFE. SYDNEY, February 27. The annual meeting of the Citizens' Life Assurance Company was held to-day. The report, which was adopted, showed that new assurances for £1,036.500, were completed in the ordinary branch, and that the funds at December 31, 1905, amounted to £1.538.372, the gross increase for the year being £219,265. A further great, saving had been effected in working expenses, the industrial branch alone showing a reduction of nearly 12 per cent, for the last two years. In the ordinary branch the expense rate is 13 per cent., and the combined expense rate (ordinary and industrial) 2*l per cent, of the total income valuation. The report shows that the reversionary bonus to policyholders for the year will be higher than previously,'ranging from £3 to £1 5/ per cent, of the sum assured, according to table and age of policy. The total surplus is £50,645. The retiring directors were reelected. NEW CALEDONIA AND 'THE CONVICTS. SYDNEY. February 27. The. Noumean mail brings news of an agitation there on the question of the desirableness or otherwise of resuming the reception of convicts on the island. Local interest in the question has been increased by the near approach of the elections, aud parties are divided on it. The official class and many commercial men strongly advocate the resumption on the ground that by that means cheap labour will be obtained. The majority of the settlers and workers are, however, hostile to the proposal. AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND EXHIBITION. (Received 10.2S a.m.) [ SYDNEY, this clay. The State Government is taking steps to secure 5000 ft at the Christchurch Exhibition in order to induce New South I Wales business men to be. represented. MORE OFFICIAL LAUNDRY WORK. (Received 10.14 a.m.) SYDNEY, this day. The Chief Commissioner of Railways, in his evidence before the Railway Royal Commission, admitted that he liad not | shaken hands with his brother Commissioners for two years. It would appear from the evidence that the Cabinet was supplied with separate reports by the Comjmissioners on certain important matters. The witness explained that a stand would be taken with regard to locomotive construction. His relationship with the Premier had become very strained. Mr. Carruthers had accused him of dastardly conduct in the presence of one of the Commissioners. That was in connection with information furnished to the press about certain letters. He had denied all knowledge of the matter to the Government. PACIFIC CABLE BOARD'S MOVE. (Received 10.2S a.m.) MELBOURNE, this day. Mr. Reynolds, general manager for the Pacific Cable Board, is visiting Melbourne with a view to making an ar-' rangement in order to gain possession of the land lines as the property of the Governments concerned, and thus dealing directly with the public. They would then be able to give the same facilities as the Eastern Extension Company. BIG FIRE AT PERTH. (Received 10.28 a.m.) PERTH, this day. A fire has destroyed the Swan Brew- j cry Company's bottling works. The i damage is estimated at £ 16,000. The South British has a risk of £ 12.765 on '• this loss. ' ! PLAGUE IN WEST AUSTRALIA. I (Received 10.28 a.m.) I PERTH, this day. A case of plague is reported in this j city, and another death has occurred at Geraldton.