AUSTRALIAN.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1727, 5 April 1905, Page 57

AUSTRALIAN.

MELBOURNE, March 28. An outbreak of fire in a clothing factory in Flinders street jeopardised the lives of sixteen work-girls. The manager succeeded in getting the girls from the top story to the first floor, and then had to push them from a window into the street below, where they were caught in blankets. All were rescued uninjured. MELBOURNE, March 30. The Federal Minister of Customs is inquiring into the question of introducing the metric system. The New Zealand act is being examined with a view to seeing whether it will afford a basis of legislation if it is decided to adopt the system. MELBOURNE, March 30. Giving evidence before the Tariff Commission witnesses representing the woollen industry stated that they wanted more protection, and urged an increase of duties by from 15 to 25 per cent. MELBOURNE, March 30. Sir Joseph Ward, who has arrived here, said, in the course of an interview, that New Zealand was endeavouring to get the Canadian steamers to call at a New Zealand port, but it was understood that the Canadian Government was opposed to the proposal. Referring to the appointment of a Royal Commission to inquire into' the demand of the leaseholders for the right of purchase, Sir Joseph said he was inclined to think that the country would hesitate to give tenants of repurchased properties the right to convert their holdings into freeholds. MELBOURNE, March 30. Mr Justice Hodges, in granting leave to appeal to the Privy Council in the income tax case, said that if the Federal Judiciary Act purported to take away the right of appeal to the Ring in Council it was ultra vires. SYDNEY, March 28. The Moeraki, which arrived to-night at 9 o’clock, made a record trip from Wellington to Sydney of three days three and a half hours from heads to heads. ’ The best day’s run was 402 miles. SYDNEY, March 27. The annual meeting of the Citizens’ Life Assurance Company, Limited. w held to-day. The report, which u ■ - unanimously adopted, showed that new assurances for over £1,000,000 were completed in the ordinary branch, and that the funds at 31st December, 1904, amounted to £1,340,606, an incroi.se for the year of £201,346. The inert me increased during the year by £31,43' to £440,986. Considerable savings h..«vo been effected in working expenses— t ho industrial branch alone showing a m

duction of 8 per cent, on the year, and 13 per cent, for the last two years. Iho ordinary branch expense rate is 13 per cent., and the combined expense rate (ordinary and industrial) 27 per cent, of the total income. Tlie valuation report shows a surplus of £57,710, which will provide for a reversionary bonus to policyholders varying from £2 15s to £1 5s per cent. The retiring directors were re-elected.

SYDNEY, March 30. Bannerman, the professional cricketer, who has just returned from New Zealand, says he did not consider that the New Zealand cricket team was the best combination that could have been got together. The team did not play up to anything like form, the bowlers not receiving proper support. Referring to the condition of cricket in New Zealand, he said! the want of the district system was badly felt. If that system were established there would he an increase of interest in matches, and it would lead to the formation of more playing grounds. SYDNEY, March 30. Seamen who were on the steamer Albany state that the vessel was wrecked at Nambucca on a fine clear afternoon. The course was too much inshore for safety. The vessel, while travelling at full-speed, crashed on an outlying reef and began to fill. AJ steam pipe burst in the engine-room, driving ail from below. A case or dengue fever from Brisbane has been isolated here. Two cases have been similarly treated at Melbourne. SYDNEY, March 31. The Full Court recently ruled that the Arbitration Court’s decision according preference to unionists was ultra vires. The employees affected by the ruling have obtained leave to appeal against it to the High Court. Owing to the copious rains, the prospects for the next wheat harvest are distinctly good. BRISBANE, March 28. Owing to the epidemic of dengue fever, the Courts have suspended their sittings, the theatres have closed, ana many businesses are in a sorry Might owing to the sickness of employees. HOBART, March 30. A steamer from Brisbane has arrived here with two cases of dengue fever on hoard. The patients have been quarantined.