AUSTRALIA.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 10738, 18 August 1900, Page 7

AUSTRALIA.

United Press Association—By Electrio Telegraph—Copyright. QUEENSLAND NATIONAL BANK. (Received August 17th, 9.50 a.m.) BRISBANE, August 17. The Queensland National Bank profits for the half-year are £27,447. THE FORERUNNER OF FEDERATION. (Received August 17th, 9.50 a.m.) SYDNEY, August 17. Incidental references, made by speakers at Mr Barton's reception, to Sir Henry Parkes, and his efforts in the interest of federation, were received with remarkable outbursts of applause. A COLD SNAP IN VICTORIA. MELBOURNE, August 17. The weather is bitterly cold. There have been snowstorms at Ballarat. OBSOLETE ARMAMENTS. Disclosures have revealed that the guns and equipment of the Victorian Field Force and Permanent Artillery are obsolete and defective, and the commandant advocates the establishment of a small arms factory in Victoria. W. R. WILSON'S ESTATE. W. R. Wilson's estate is valued at £63,500. There are no public bequests. His sister, Mrs Collier, of Manaia, New Zealand, receive- £100. THE WEST AUSTRALIAN MINISTRY. (Received August 17th, ID p.m.) PERTH, August 17. Mr Piesse, Minister of Railways, has resigned, owing to a difference with his colleagues. The Minister was not inclined tc extend official recognition to the Railway Employees' Association, but Cabinet did not concur in this view.