AUSTRALIA.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 11110, 31 October 1901, Page 5

AUSTRALIA.

United Press Association—By Eleotrio . Telegrapli-MSopyright. THE WESTRALIAN RAILWAY ; . ENQUIRY. (Received October 30th, 9.30 a.m.) _ PERTS, October 3aThe report of the Board appointed to enquire into the charge against Mr.John D&vies, general manager of the railways, completely exonerated him, and states that Mr Davies's acts -were performed by Minis-terial-authority. WEST AUSTRALIAN POLITICS. .\ * PERTH, October 30. . The Leader of the Opposition has given notice of a direct -want of confidence motion on Thursday. The House has adjourned. THE CAPE. CABLE. '■ - ' • ADELAIDE, October 30. It is expected that the Fremantle-Glenelg section of the Cape cable trill be completed in February. It is stated that the cable -wall lessen the time to transmit mea-; sages to and from Europe by one-half. A further reduction to 3s per word for general, and word for press messages •will be' made on January Ist. SOVEREIGNS FOR INDIA. PERTH, October 30. ' The Arcadia has shipped one hundred thousand sovereigns for India. A FRENCH BARQUE ASHORE. PERTH, October 30. The French barque, Ville de.Rouen, from England to Fremaiitle, with a cargo of coke and bricks, is ashore afc the mouth of the Mare river. The crew are safe. THE COLONIAL SUGAR COMPANY. (Received October 31st, 0.65 a.m| SYDNEY, October 50. The uolonial Sugar Refining Company's profits for the half year were A dividend of-10 per cent, has been declared. The report,' whfch was adopted by the shareholders, stated that the sugar cane crops in New South Wales and Queensland had. suffered much from frost, and those in Fiji from drought. It was improbable that |he-yi|ld for the present season would reach The Chairman stated that stoppage of Kanaka labour in Queensland must necessarily cause the collapse of *ie sugar industry within the tropics. For the consequences of this proposed act of iojustice the company were fully prepared, but he feared the same could' not be said ""about many planters. He expected the change in duties would ndt materially alter the position. The depression inihfe sugar market was serious, and tney must prepare for a lower range of prices than had previously been allowed.