AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15650, 2 July 1914, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

PURCHASE OF COAL MINE. STEAMSHIP COMPANY'S DEAL. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. Sydkey, July 1. The Huddart-Parkor Compary has purchased the Hebburn Colliery, South Mailland. Tho new company, which it is understood will bo called Hebburn, Limited, has also acquired tho Aberdare railway, 12 miles in length, with six stations, taking in six other collieries. NEW ZEALAND BOWLERS. (Received July 1, 9.50 p.m.) Sydney, July 1. There wis a large gathering at the official reception to the New Zealand bowlers to-day. The opening match of the tour, against Waverley, had to be abandoned, owing to persistent and steady rain. STATE REVENUES. ißeceived July 1, 8.10 p.m.) Sydney, July 1. The State revenue for the year amounted to £18,298,591, an increase of £2,241,293. The chief features were the increases in the railway receipts, £962,837; the 'jamways receipts, £172,000; tho income tax, £632,000; and the stamp duties. £279,907. The recent adjustment of income tax and the stamp duties was responsible for the increases from them.

Melbourne, July 1. The State revenue for the past year totalled £10,452,573.

LIBEL SUIT PAILS,

ißeceived July 1, 11.40 p*m.)

Sydney, July 1.

The libel action, O'Brien versus the Daily Telegraph, resulted in a verdict for the defendants. COMING GENERAL ELECTION, 'Received July '2, 1.5 a.ra ) Melbourne, July 1. The Federal Primo Minister (Mr. Cook) states that the dissolution will take place on July 20, and on that date the writs will be issued for the general election. August 7 will be the last day for the nomination of candidates, and the polling day will be September 5. INSURANCE COMPANY'S SUIT. (Received July 1, 11.40 p.m.) Sydney, July 1. An action was commenced to-day in the Co-operative Insurance Company, Limited, claims £50,000 for alleged libel from the Sun Newspaper Company. The a'leged libel was contained in an articlo published in the financial columns of the Sun commenting upon the Cooperative Company's annual report and the issue of a prospectus dealing with a proposed increaso in capital. The plaintiffs claim that the comments meant that the company liaj improperly refrained from placing before the public the true facts of its financial position, and sought to obtain new capital by the improper concealment of material facts. FEDERAL FINANCES. (Received July 2, 12.20 a.m) Melbourne, July 1. The Federal revenue for the financial year just ended was £2,173. which was £271,450 above the estimate. ENGINEERS AND NON-UNIONISTS. Sydney, July 1. A mass meeting of engineers has decided not' to work with non-unionists in future. This may lead to serious industrial trouble. SMALLPOX AT NiIWQASTLE. Sydney, July 1, A wardsman in the Newcastle Hospital has been attacked by smallpox.

COMPENSATION SAILORS. Stonty, July 1.

In view of the recent High Court ruling that seamen injured outside the three-mile limit on the Australian coast are unable to claim compensation under the Commonwealth law, the Seamen's Union has drafted a new clause for inclusion in the articles entitling injured seamen to claim

compensation wherever the accident may happen. This clause is included in the articles signed by the crew of the Niagara. The Seamen's federation has demanded the inclusion of the clause in tho articles of all ships trading to America and New Zealand.