AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12271, 15 May 1903, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

By Telegraph.— Association.—Copyright*

PROPOSED SUGAR BONUS.

Melbourne, May 14. Sir Edmund Barton states that ejixly in/ the coming session a Bill will be introduced; proposing a sugar bonus to take tho place of the present system of rebates, the cosft to be divided amongst the States on 41 population basis. It will probably be mad* retrospective, and the whole rebates already paid will be dealt with on a popui lation basis.

THE ENGLISH MAILS. Melbourne. May 14. : The Orotava, with the English inaili!, sailed' to-day.

THE NEWCASTLE MINERS. (Received May 15, 1.12 a.m.)

Sydney, May 14.. Tho Arbitration Court to-morrow give*, its decision regarding the Newcastle miners* application to restrain the proprietors from" enforcing a reduction of the hewing raters The notices of reduction were to come into operation to-day, but were postponed pending the decision of the Court. PLAGUE PRECAUTIONS. Sydney, May 14. In a store in the vicinity of the wharf where the Queensland steamers berth, * number of dead rats were noticed lasi week. The block is being thoroughly cleaned, and other precautions taken. (Received May 15, 1.12 a.m.) Sydney, May 14. ' The Health Department state that the plagued rates indicate a reimportation and? not recrudescence of the disease. There is. no need for alarm.

VICTORIAN CONVERSION LOAN., (Received. May 14, 11.14 p.m.) Melbourne, May 14. ; Mr. J. Gillespie, acting on behalf of a leading English financial firm, has offered to tak&

up the whole of the Victorian conversion! loan of £5,475,000, falling due in a few, weeks. The news has caused great relief in financial quarters, THE CUSTOMS FEDERAL ACT. (Received May 14, 11.14 p.m.) Melbourne, May 14. The Full Court has reversed the Chief Justice's recent decision in the Abrahams. Customs case. This decision l.pholds the: I validity of the Federal Customs Act. The Court was unanimous. It is understood an appeal to the Privy Council will be made. TRIAL FOR MURDER, Sydney, May 14. WooMord, under cross-examination, mads many lapses of memory when cornered on incriminating points. His evidence was very contradictory. He declared that certain letters produced in evidence were written by him at the instance of two men, whose names he failed to remember* and under threats that he would be " stabbed and dogged" to death. , SYDNEY STOCK SALES. (Received May 15, 12.26 a.m.) Stoket, May I*. At the Homebush sales there was strong demand, and prices were high. Best wethers, 20s; extra, to 34s 3d; good, 16s 6d to, 17s } best ewes, 18s 6d; extra, 25s 9d; good, 15s 6d to 16s. 6d; best bullocks, £12; extra, £14. 7s 6d; good, £10 10s; best cows, £9; extra, £9 ss. K good, £7. ss;, fees* beef,.,33si ,p*r, 3Mb* / •