AUSTRALIA.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12728, 11 April 1904, Page 3

AUSTRALIA.

FEDERAL MAIL SERVICE. LONDON, April 8. As no mention is made by the Imperial authorities of the Orient Company, it is assumed that the renewal of the P. and O. contract is for a fortnightly service, leaving it open to the Commonweal tli to make their own arrangements with the Orient Company.

VICTORIAN RAILWAYS. MELBOURNE, Saturday. Mr Bent, Premier of Victoria, states that the railways at the end of June, in addition to paying working expenses, will earn full interest charges on the railway debt, which constitutes three-fourths of the whole debt oi tho State. OCCUPANCY - TAX BILL. HOBART. Saturday. The second reading of the Occupancytax Bill was carried by four votes in the Legislative Assembly. SKIPPING. SYDNEY, Sunday. Arrived.—Buteshire, s.s., from Durban. MELBOURNE, Sunday. Arrived.—Marere, s.s., from London. Arrived.—Suffolk, s.s., from New York.