AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15848, 19 February 1915, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

NEW SOUTH WALES FINANCE. NEW SOUTH WALES FINANCE, j UNDERWRITERS OF LOAN. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. Stdvet, February 18. Mb. J. H. Caxn*, New South Wales Treasurer, states that the Norton Griffiths Company underwrote the second New South Wales £2,000,000 loan, and he understands that the firm will underwrite a further £2,000,000. This is quite apart, from the scheme under which the firm undertakes railway construction and other reproductive work in New . South Wales to the extent of £10,000,000. SYDNEY'S POPULATION. THREE-QUARTERS OF MILLION. (Received February 18. 11.35 pm.) Sydney, February 18. The population of Sydney and suburbs on December 31 was 752,500, an increase of 27,100 as compared with 1913. The births totalled 20,821 —a record. DESTRUCTIVE FIRES.

DAMAGE IN MINING VILLAGE. Sydney, February 18. A line of business premises in the mining township of Canbelego was destroyed by fire. The damage is estimated at £5000. OUTBREAK IN MELBOURNE. Melbourne, February 18. j The top floor of Gayland, Greenwood, and Cooking's premises, in Flinders Court, was gutted by tire last night. The damage is estimated at several thousands. RESULT OF HEAT WAVE. (Received February 18, 11.10 pro) Sydney, February 18. A protracted heat wave is responsible for numbers of fires in the country. A block of shops was destroyed at Bowraville, and the damage is equal to £10.000. TRAWLERS FOR COMMONWEALTH. DEPARTURE FROM LONDON. Sydney, February 18. The trawlers Brolga, Koraaga, and (iunundaal, built to the order of the Commonwealth Government, have left London for Sydney.