AUSTRALIA.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 13358, 25 February 1909, Page 7

AUSTRALIA.

United Press Association—By Electrio T«-!e_raph— Copyright. NEWCASTLE COAL SHORTAGE. SYDNEY, February 23. In reference to tho complaints of the short weight of the coal .shipments from Newcastle, shippers say tho railway weighbridge is mainly to blame, but tinDepartment denies the statement, and asserts that the weighbridges are tested weekly. [The above message refers to a cablegram received from London on Tuesday, reading as follows :-—The IJritish Chamber of Shipping have decided to investigate the complaints of the shortage of weights in coul shipped from Newcastle, New South Wales. The losses aro roughly 4 per cent.] WOODEN MATCH FACTORY. iIELBOriI.N'E, February 24. The English firm of Bryant and May aro about to establish a wooden match factory. They expect to conimence e.peratiors at tho end of the year. HOT WEATHER IN MELBOURNE The hottest day of the season was experienced yesterday, the temperaturo ir. tho city being 103 decrees. TASMANIAN CABLES. Two new Tasinninian cables have loon successfully laid. - AN £800 ROBBERY. PERTH. February 24. Tlie shop of Ilosenwax, pawnbroker, was entered, and £800 worth of jewellery was stolon. LOAN BALLOTS ILLEGAL. (Received February 24th. 9.30 p.m.) SYDNEY, February 24. The Full Court upheld tho decision of the Lower Court that loan ballots conducted by the Mutual Loan Agency constituted a lottery. The Agency was recently convicted under Acts of George 111. and William 111., of keeping a lottery, and fine-d £1.00. Anyone purchasing a five-shilling ticket coulel participate in a ballot for a loan, up to £1000. The defence was that the ballots were conducted on the StarrBowkett system. NEW INTERCOLONIAL STEAMER. The Huddart-Parker Company intend building another up-to-date steamer for the New Zealand trade, of tho Ulimaroa type, but 10ft longer and 2ft more in beam. .She will be*, a twin screw vessel. A leading feature will bo the passenger accommodation. I.he will be named the Zealandia. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION INTERRUPTED. Heavy thunclerstorms are generaTly interfering with telegraphic commuiucation.