AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10032, 20 January 1896, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Press Association.— Telegraph.— IMPROVEMENT IN THE SHIPPING TRADE. Sydney, January 18. The annual shipping returns show that 1694 ships arrived at Port Jackson, with a tonnage of 3,163,000, an increase of over 89,000 tons on the previous year; while 1331 left) Port Jackson, with a tonnage ol 2,754,000, an increase of 122,700 tons over 1894. The number of seamen engagod through the shipping office was 11,200, and the number discharged registered 10,100. The total amount ol seamen's wages paid was £33,650. The intercolonial coastal trade, especially in regard to steamers, has a much healthier tone than in 1894. There is a remarkable activity all round, and many vessels which had been lying idlo are placed in profitable commission. Both pas* senger and freight rates have groutly improved. Special reference is made to the recovery of rates to and from New Zeal and THE WEATHER. Sydney, January 18. Tremendous heab continues in the interior, and many additional deaths are re> corded. Sydney, January 19. A cool, soaking, drizzling rain has fallos since Saturday night. Adelaide, January IS. Storms are causing much interruption of the overland telegraph lines, and are delaying the cable service. THE SUNBEAM AGROUND. Hobaht, January 19. The Sunbeam, with Lord Brassey, Lady Brassey, and party on board, while on her return trip from Hobart to Melbourne, grounded on a rock on the Tasmanian coasb.' The warship Karrakatba has gone to her assistance. QUEENSLAND TRADE RETURNS. Brisbane, January 18, The imports of the colony last quarter amounted to £1,210,000, an increase of a quarter of a million, compared with the corresponding quarter of last year, The exports were £3,166,000, being adocrease of £267,000, compared with the last quarter of lasb year. BANK OP VICTORIA. Melbourne, January 18. The half-yearly report of the Bank ol Victoria shows the profits for the six months to bo £20,600, to which is to bo added £16,500 from the previous half-year. Ib la proposed to pay a dividend of 5 per cenb. on preference shares and to carry £26,706 forward. The directors decided to continue the policy of strengthening reserves instead of distributing profits, hence they pay no dividend on ordinary shares. The Bank's gold reserve totals £1,668,000. BANK OP TASMANIA. Hobart, January 18. Ab the half-yearly meeting of the Bank of Tasmania, the chairman stated thab the liquid assets were £517,000, equal to nearly 8s in the £of the total liabilities. Owing to the depression they could nob find profitable investments for money. Concurrently with the payment of a reduced dividend of 5 per cant), lib said there would be a graduated reduction in the salaries of all officers of the bank. MIDLAND RAILWAY ARBITRATION. Sydney, January 18. The Daily Telegraph says that the settlement of the New Zealand Midland Railway case forms an excellent object lesson for the colonies because had ib been sent to the law courts, it would probably have occupied an army of lawyers in regular and profitable employment for months, perhaps years, A RICH REEF. Melbourne, January 18, Mueller and party have struck a rich reef in the Omeo district, seven feet thick, which is estimated to yield 30oz of gold to the ton. BROKEN HILLPROPRIETARV COMPANY. Melbourne, January 18. Ab the half-yearly meeting of the Broken Hill Proprietary Company the report showed that the net profits for the six months ended November were £292,000, of whioh £288,000 was distributed to shareholders, and the balance carried forward. The reserve now stands at £661,000. The gross receipts for the half-year were £818,000; working expenses, £488,000; and cost o! subduing fire in Blook XL, £20,000. The new planb for treatment of low-grade and sulphide ores is working satisfactorily' and giving fair profits, bub there - are still $■ number of initial difficulties to overcome. <INTER-UNIVERSITY CRICKET. j!Melbourne, January 18. , In the Inter-University Cricket) Match, the Sydney Eleven scored 336 runs in the first" innings. Melboiirno in - their . first innings made 189, and having to follow on, . they made a much-batter stand. .At the . call of time only one wicket.was down foe 122. ■ . 'v ": ' . .v'' ■ • I.V :-\i'f-^l