AUSTRALIAN CABLES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12551, 3 January 1903, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN CABLES.

Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. . SYDNEY, January 1. M. Kinkoff, who has been deputed by the Russian Minister of Agriculture to visit Australia, says that the farmers are not so industrious in Australia a-S those of England, Germany, and America. They are inclined to be lazy, especially the women, who do not look after the poultry and dairying. The resources of the country, however, are good. He speaks highly of the sheepbreeding industry. January 2. . Sir E. Barton has cabled to Mr Chamberlain in South Africa urging that all further military contracts for foodstuffs should be products of the colonies. The bankruptcies last year show liabilities amounting to £281,000, and assets to £124,000. (Received Jan. 2, at 2.57 p.m.) Obituary: Commander, Connor, suddenly, it is supposed, from heat apoplexy. He commanded the Australian Contingent in China. Sir E. Barton has received a telegram from the Governor-general congratulating him upon the second anniversary of the Commonwealth, and expressing the opinion that local federation was the herald of Imperial federation, which n-as a reality and within sight if not forced but allowed to grow gradually. Sir E. Barton, replying, agreed that a. wider federation should not be forced. Respect for each autonomy and for the rights of others will hold the Empire together. Mining development during the year was seriously retarded by the drought, though when the figures are complete a substantial increase will be shown. The gold yield from dredging promises satisfactory returns, though costly experience has demonstrated the weakness of the earlier forms of New Zealand dredges for the abnormal stress and strain of New South Wales dredging. Silver mining had to be restricted by the exigencies of the metal market. Tin) principal copper mines wefe brought to a standstill through lack of water. The New South Wales revenue for the last half-year shows an increase of £261,000 compared to the same period of 1901. ' MELBOURNE, January 1. (Received Jan. 1, at 9.27 a.m.) The revenue for the last half-year decreased £128,000 as compared with the corresponding half of the previous year. The Cabinet has decided to shorten the hours of the railway men in preference to the wholesale dismissal of 1300 men, as suggested by the Minister of Railways'. Although business for the year had declined, in the aggregate, it remained sound, the insolvencies not exceeding the average of recent years. ADELAIDE, January 1. (Received Jan. 1, at 9.27 a.m.) 11 A private cable gives assurances that ; Messrs Bewick and Moreiug will underi take the responsibility in connection with ■; their partner's (Rowe) scrip forgery. JI PERTH, January 2. p: The gold yield exceeded that of the 1 i preceding year by 295,0000z. j ' HOBART, January 2. i The revenue for the half-year is £734,000, or £5000 above the estimate. G. Pitcher, of Gisborne, won the second prize of £1350 in Tattersall's sweep on the Summer Cup.