Australian Cables.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume X, Issue 47, 7 February 1920, Page 5

Australian Cables.

EMBARGO ON SILVER EXPORT.

(By Cable.—P.-mr Association.—Copyright.]

(Received 7, 11.35 a.m.) Melbourne, Feb. 7. A Proclamation prohibits the export of silver coins. Oversea passengers in future will be permitted to take only three pounds worth. ■ - (A. and N.Z.) [The record price of sijver, the English shilling now being intrinsically worth from fifteen to sixteen pence, is entirely due,” stated Mr. Harold Beauchamp to a “Times” reporter on Thursday, “to the enormous shortage of silver, and the strong demand for it in those countries, such as Egypt ' and India, which have so large a silver currency. The same difficulty is occurring in certain parts of the Continent of Europe, where silver in the past has been very largely , used. For example, when I was in France some two or three months ago, it was quite impossible to get from a bank more than ten francs in silver at a time, as the intrinsic value of the franc was greater than its face value. Considerable quantities of silver francs had been hoarded in France, especially by the peasantry, who are renowned for the length oi their stockings.]

QUEENSLAND CYCLONE.

CAIRNS SUFFERS SEVERELY

(Received 7, 11.35 a.m.) Brisbane, Feb. 7. Latest advices from the North state that the town of Cairns received the full force of the cyclone from Monday night to Tuesday morning. During the night most of the residences on £he waterfront were unroofed. The gale reached the force speed of 100 miles per hour. Many gallant rescues were effect-' ed by the police and ambulance. The damage to Cairns is now estimated at £39,000. News from the back country makes the position more serious than at first anticipated. The town of Mount Molloy is almost totally destroyed, and the hardwood forests are levelled to the ground. Many other towns suffered partial destruction.

So far only one death is reporteiff, a scrub feller being drowned in the Russell, river.—(A. and N.Z.) . THE RESULT OF STRIKES SHIPPING DRIVEN AWAY. Sydney, Feb. t. The Burns Philip Shipping Company announced that one steamer has been despatched direct from, the Islands to England, and others are being chartered for the Islands and Eastern trade. It is now likely that the whoje of the steamers of the Burns Philip Co.’s Island line will not again be put into commission.—(A. and N.Z.) INTERNATIONAL TENNIS. (Received 7, 11.35 a.m.) Melbourne, Feb. 7. In International tennis, England versus Victoria, O’Hara Wood defeated Beamish 6 —3, 7—5. Kingscote beat Wertheim 6—3, Wertheinf®and Hawkes are playing against Kingscote and Lowe, but the: game was unfinished. The score stands 4—6, B—6,8 —6, B—7.—(A. and N.Z.) HOLMAN’S NEW CABINET. Sydney, Feb. 6. Mr Holman announced that the new Ministers are: —Messrs Grimm (Assistant Minister of Agriculture), Grane (Assistant Minister of Lands), Oakes (Alinister of Housing), Bruntnell (Minister of Health). Mr Ashford retains the portfolio of Lands and Agriculture penning the elections. MARINE ENGINEERS* STRIKE.

Sydney, Feb. 6. The executive of the marine engineers report that the West Australian State Shipping Service has agreed to pay the full rates demanded by the engineers, and the VVestraliau coastal service will resume immediately. THE WIRELESS MYSTERY. Sydney, Feb. 6. Wireless signals similar to the mysterious messages reported by Marconi have beeu received at the Amalgamated Wireless Station at Wahroonga. The signals repeat in the Morse code the letter “g,” and appear under intelligent control. HEAT WAVE ENOS. Sydney, Feb. 6. The heat wave has broken, and general rains have fallen in the Biverina and North Coast districts. Unsettled weather is forecasted, and prospects for the athletic meeting to-mor-row are not bright. N.S.W. CONVERSION LOAN. (Received E, 2.5 p.m.) London, Feb. 6. Al New South Wales' conversion loan of £2,000,000, 5| per cent., has been floated at £9B 10/-. “MY LADY NICOTINE.” Sydney, Fdb. 7. A Government Gazette declares tobacco a necessary commodity.— (A. and N.Z.)