AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14947, 21 March 1912, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

By Telegraph.— Association.—Copyright THE SINGER FRAUD CHARGES. (Received March 20. 9.40 p.m.) Sydney, March 20. The trial wat; continued to-day of Brown (general manager of the Singer jewing Machine Company) and Macpherson, who are charged with conspiring to defraud the Singer Sewing Machine Company of £12,744. After the book-keepers had given evidence regarding the methods of keeping the accounts and compiling the balance-sheets, the case for the prosecution closed. FORMER AUCKLANDER'S ESTATE* (Received March 20, 11.25 p.m.) Sydney, March 20. The will of the late Mrs. Ireland, formerly of Auckland, lias been passed for probate. The value of the New South Wales estate is £49.885. TRANS-CONTINENTAL RAILWAY, (Received March 20, 11.25 p.m.) Melbourne, March 20. The Minister for Home Affaire (Mr* King O'Malley) has authorised the callin"' of tenders for sleepers for the trans-* continental railway to West Australia,: The number that will be required is 2,300,000. SPECIAL CONSTABLES BARRED. Brisbane, March 20. Onlv members of trade unions will be allowed to compete in the next May Day sports, owing to seven athletes having acted as special constables during the strike.

RESTAURANT PRICES RAISED. Sydney, March 20. Owing to the increased cost of food the "; majority of tho restaurant-keepers are raising the price of meals by 3d and 6d. PRICE OF LAND IN MELBOURNE, f Mklbourne, March 20. The property occupied by the New], Zealand Government office, with a front* age of 32ft to Collins-street, was sold yes* t-erday for £26,000. NEW SOUTH WALES M.P.'S SALARY, >; Sydney, March 20. In the Legislative -Assembly, the second reading of the Increase ;in Members'. ~; Salary Bill (increasing the,salary to ioOW >■< a year), was carried by 46 votes to 21. J