AUSTRALIAN.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 9816, 27 August 1897, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN.

Press Association—fty Teleeraph—Copyright.

BAILWAY EXTENSION.

Sydney, August 26. The Public Works Committee, after an exhaustive enquiry, recommend the extension o£ the railway into the city, with a central station in Hyde Park. SHEEP SALE. At the sale of a large consignment of imported purebred Vermont and German merinos good prices were realised. Bams sold at 240gs and 200gs, ranging to 15gs 7 and ewes from lOOgs to BOgs.

LOCAL OPTION BILL,

In the Assembly the PostmasterGeneral, in moving the introduction of the Local Option Bill, explained that it provided neither for monetary nor time compensation. It had been generally notified to publicans that local option might be expected to be enforced, and the popular vote would decide its enforcement. The Prohibitionists, because it did not go far enough, aud the compensationists, both strongly opposed the measure. THE NEW SOUTH WALES CONTINGENT. The detachment of New South Wales Lancers, who took part in the Jubilee festivities and performed so well at the Islington tournament, returned to-day, and were accorded an enthusiastic reception.

MR HOOLEY'S SCHEME.

Melbourne, August 26

It 13 understood here that Mr Hooley has definitely abandoned his projected amalgamation of the Australian Meat Freezing Companies. STATE EDUCATION. The report of the Education Department shows that 22,000 children of school age are not receiving the instruction provided by the State.

RETRENCHMENT IN VICTORIA.

Sir George Turner, in the Budget speech, said nothing more must be expected from the policy of retrenchment. Every possible saving that could bo had been made. Henceforth they must be prepared for a small increase of expenditure year by year. During the year over 400 Civil Servants had been reduced. The report of the Railway Commissioners showed that fotfcy-eight miles o£ nonpaying lines had been closed to traffic. The annual interest on the capital cost of these lines was £19,000.

TRANSFER OF ACCOUNT. Brisbane, August 26.

The Government has arranged to transfer £400,000 of the public current account from the Queensland. National Bank to other Banks.

WEST AUSTRALIAN FINANCE.

Pekth, August 26.

In the Assembly, a Bill authorising the raising of three million of Treasury bills was passed.