AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13691, 6 March 1908, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

By Telegraph —Press Association Copyright

CLOSING HOTELS. (Received March 5, 11.55 p.m.) Sydney, March 6. The Local Option Court has made a beginning- in enforcing the reduction rote, and has ordered the closing of,four hotels in Maxriekville and Petersham electorates. MELBOURNE HIDE SALES. (Received March 6. 1.30 a.m.) - Melbourne, Maxell 5. At the bides sales, stout, heavy, and nio dium were firm. Kips were |d to *d lower. TESTIMONIAL TO NOBLE. ' Sydney, March 5. All the Australian States are participating in the testimonial to M. A. Noble, the captain of the Australian cricket team. DUTY ON AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS. Sydney, March 5. The Senate has taken off the 5 pes cent, foreign duty on many agricultural implements and cutlery, placing them on the free list. RIFLE COMPETITIONS. Sydney, March .5. The Australian National Rifle Association of Sydney is inviting teams from the various parts of the Empire to compete in the jubilee meeting next year. THE CRICKET FINANCES. Melbourne, March 5In reply to the statement that the Cricket Association had made over £1300 in profits by the fourth test match, the treasurer of the association has published the baJianee-sheet, establishing his claim that the profit was only fivcpence. Since the balance was drawn, a sum of £3 15s had been paid for McKenzie's coat and cap as twelfth man, making a debit of £3 14s 7ct. ARCHDEACON ABBOTT'S RESIGNA- ' TION. Sydney, March 5. The letter of resignation of Archdeacon Abbott, of Tain worth,, has; stirred up a great deal of local feeling. Mr. Abbott's letter to the Parochial Council says that lie has always done Hilly what lie promised, and much has been made out of £> small-•matters