AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 13049, 14 December 1905, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

By Telegraph.— Association.—Copyright. SYDNEY WOOL SALES. ' ' 3, (Received December 14, 1.1 a.m.) 7 Sydney, December 13. At the wool sales there is. spirited bidding. AH good sorts are firm at lute rates. The Japanese are buying a good deal. AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES AND RATES. 5 (Received December 14, 1.1 a.m.) ' * Melbourne,. December 13. The High Court, lias decided that agricul--1 tura.l societies are liable for municipal rates, thus reversing another of the State Supreme Courts' decisions. . QUEENSLAND LAND TAX BILL. shank, December 13. The Queensland Legislative Council, by 20 votes to seven, lias rejected the second reading of the Land Monopoly Tax Bill. VICTORIAN PARLIAMENT. Melbourne, December 13. The Victorian Governor (Sir Reginald' ' Talbot) has prorogued the Statu Parlia- • nient. —1" CREDIT FONCIER LOAN. - Melbourne, December 13. Two hundred and twenty-six thousand pounds have been tendered for a £100,000 Savings Bank credit fonder loan at 3g per cent. The debentures were issued at a minimum of £97, and the average realised was £97 lis 9d. • SUSPECTED MURDER OF A CHINESE. Sydney, December 13. I Recently the body of a Chinese was found in the harbour with a rope round the neck. It was identified as that of a stowaway who had arrived by the steamer Airlie. It was supposed at the time that it was a case of suicide, but subsequently the police received information which raised j suspicions of foul play amongst the Chinese crew of the Airlie.