AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLI, Issue 176, 27 July 1907, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

ROBBING THE BRITISH EMPIRE. ADELAIDE, July 26. The Marine Department has received a report from the lighthouse-keeper at Penguin Island, Riyoli Bay, stating that the Island is crumbling away, through the erosion of the sea, at the rate of four inches per month. Heavy landslips are occurring. SWEATED INDUSTRIES. i SYDNEY, July 26. A confidential report presented to the Premier shows that extraordinary sweating prevails in the dressmaking and millinery businesses. Nine hundred girls receive 5s per week and under. The Premier intends to legislate to fix a minimum wage for juvenile labour. THE FEDERAL TARIFF. SYDNEY, July 25, ■ Heavy clearances are being effected In the'various States, in anticipation of an alteration in the tariff at Melbourne. The sum of :£135,00Q was paid in duty yesterday and to-day. RAILWAY AND TRAMWAY REVENUE. SYDNEY, July 25. . For the year ending June 30 the railway revenue shows a gross increase of £474,000, and the tramways an increase of £57,000, compared with the preceding year. .) A STEAMER ON A REEF. SYDNEY, July 25. News has been received that the steamer Ysabel is ashore on a reef at Tamu Island, in the Gilbert Group. The vessel's position is precarious. MR MITCHELL'S WILL. - ... SYDNEY, July 25. Under Mr Mitchell's will, in addition to the donation of the library, £-70,000 is left with which to endow it. \ A special Gazette has been issued, expressing regret at the death of one of the greatest benefactors of the State. .'■■■•■- A FATAL COLLISION.PERTH, July 26. Thomas Fenton, a New Zealander, well-known in mining and racing circles, was killed yesterday through his sulky colliding with a train at a level ■crossing.