AUSTRALIAN AFFAIRS

Evening Star, Issue 18031, 27 July 1922, Page 4

AUSTRALIAN AFFAIRS

Press Association—'Ey Telegraph—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Press Association.

ORCHESTRA’ GUARANTEE FUND

COMPANY.

SYDNEY, July 26. (Received July 26, at 10.40 p.m.)

The directors state that the Orchestra Guarantee Fund 1 , Ltd., recommended to the shareholders that the company should be voluntarily wound up. A SUCCESSFUL APPEAL. SYDNEY, July 26. (Received July 26, at 10.40 p.m.) The Election Committee of the Legislative Assembly upheld the 'appear by Mr Clark against the return of Mr Ashford (ex-Minister for Wammerawa), and unseated Mr Ashford, putting Mr Clark in his place. - A MURDER CHARGE. MELBOURNE, July 26. (Received July 26, at 10.40 p.m.) Reuben Fox (twenty-nine) was formally charged with the murder of Mrs M'Laughlin at Yea. Ho was remanded till August 20. SHEARING PROCEEDING SATISFACTORILY. „ .SYDNEY, July 25. The Secretary of the Graziers’ Association reports that shearing is proceeding with little inconvenience or delay. Many sheds started full-handed at award rates. COST OF LIVING. MELBOURNE, July 25. Compared with the three preceding months, the average cost of food and house rent showed an increase during the three months ended January 30 last of 2.8 per oent. for the six capital cities of the Commonwealth. SYDNEY, July 27. (Received July 27, at 11.25 a.m.) The Federal figures dhow that the cost of food groceries in Sydney for the quarter ended June compared with the previous quarter had decreased by 12.7 per cent. Rents had increased by 4.9 per cent. LAW OF EVIDENCE. SYDNEY, July 27. (Received July 27, at 11.30 a.m.) In the Assembly a Bill to amend the law of evidence permitting a husband and wife to narrate communications which passed between them if desired and preventing' advocates from attacking witnesses when testing their credibility was read a first time. WAR AGAINST RATS. BRISBANE, July 27. (Received July 27, at 11.30 a.m.) Giving to the .rapidity with which rate multiply, the campaign of extermination is to bo vigorously continued. Over 151,000 rates were destroyed in the recent campaign. BETTING BY CHEQUE. MELBOURNE, July 26. As 'the result of the recent cases ; a Bill has been introduced in the Victorian Legislative Council removing the right to sue for the recovery of money paid by cheque in settlement of nets, BENEFICIAL RAINS.

SYDNEY, July 26,

The graziers are jubilant over the excellent rainfalls in many districts where, owing to the long dry spell, the position in regard to autumn and winter lambing was looking- critical. The rain now assures green feed for ewes and lambs to carry them over the winter. The rain .so far has not relieved the dry conditions in the-far western areas, whore, unless,rain comes soon, the outlook for the coming spring and summer will be serious. ■ SYDNEY’S BIG BRIDGE. - SYDNEY, July 27. (Received July 27, at 11.25 a.m.) The date for closing the tenders for the Sydney Harbor bridge has been extended till September, 1923. THE FEDERAL HOUSE. REDISTRIBUTION OF SEATS. MELBOURNE, July 27. (Received July 27, at 11.49 a.m.) In the House of Representatives Mr L. E. Groom (Attorney-General) moved that the House approves of the scheme for the redistribution of seats in New South Wales. He explained that in’terms of the census figures seats were allotted to each Stale as follows :—Now - South Wales twenty-eight, Victoria twenty, Queensland ten, South Australia seven, West Australia and Tasmania five each. [Under the redistribution scheme New South Wales gains one seat and Victoria loses one.] WASHINGTON PACIFIC TREATY. MELBOURNE, July 27. (Received July 27, at 11.40 a.m.) Mr Hughes, in .moving the ratification of the Washington Treaty, stated that almost irresistible forces were pushing Japan into the Pacific, and equilibrium had to he assured to a,void the danger of a straggle. The treaty assured this for ten years. The debate was adjourned.