AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Mataura Ensign, 2 July 1914, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

A SYDNEY BUILDING RECORD

BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH COPYEIGHT. PER UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION. Received July 2, 9.25 a.mi. SYDNEY, July 2. During the past year 9828 buildings were erected in the metropolitan area at a cost of £6,929,094, which is a record.

BABY BONUSES AND PENSIONS.

Received July 2, 9.25 a.m

MELBOURNE, July 2. The balbv bonuses paid during the past year absorbed £1,036,105 and old' age and invalid pensions £2,704,000.

"MISERABLE FAILURE."

Received July 2, 9.40 a.m. .MELBOURNE, July 2,

The Minister for ,Railways (Hon. A. A. Billso.n) referred .to the miserable failure of the attempt to establish State ■brickworks at Wonthaggi. When all accounts were settled, it would represent a loss of over £IO,COO.

BIC CITY PROPERTY DEAL,

Received July 2, 9.40 a.m. SYDNEY, July 2. One of the biggest deals in city property ever recorded has been effected by the sale of the Mutual Life Chambers at the corner of Martin Place and Pitt Street for £122,000. The Mercantile Mutual Insurance Company is'the purchaser.

FEDERAL ELECTIONS,

' MELBOURNE, Julyl. . The (polling day for the Federal elec-

tions has been fixed for September 5,

NORFOLK ISLAND

SYDNEY, July 1. Norfolk Island was en fete to-day in connection iwitli the ceremony of trans? ferring the administration from! New South Wales to . the Commonwealth Government. The Acting-Administrator-read the.proclamation Vesting'control in the Governor-General instead of the Governor of New South Wales. . The Administrator at night entertained the whole of the inhabitants at a ball in honor- of the occasion.:'

A CLOSE DIVISION

. Received July % "11.25 'a.m. HOBART, July 2. Hon. A. E. Soldmtm (Leader,of the, Opposit-'oai) in the 1 House of Assembly moved a motion of censure on the Government in that the.action of the Premier in accepting office subject to certain conditions and subsequently refusing to carry out 'such, conditions was subversive,of .every"prln/;'iple. of good Government and. did no.!''meet with the approval of- the Hope-, ...„ ... '.The mi/otion Vas;;>aiegaAived by 14 votes to 13. '.'.',..',

BENEFICIAL ..RAINS,

Received July •£, 11.25 a.m. SYDNEY, July 2. Beneficial rains continue throughout the State.