INTERCOLONIAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2672, 31 May 1905, Page 49

INTERCOLONIAL.

MELBOURNE, May 23.

The butter box combine has collapsed owing to a large maker reducing the price by 3d. It is estimated that this will mean a saving of £12,000 per annum to the butter industry. The hearing of evidence in the cases in which it is alleged the Customs Department was defrauded by the short payment of duty on New Zealand fish is completed.

SYDNEY, May 23.

It is understood that it is intended to carry the appeal of Slattery, convicted of misappropriating the moneys of Mrs Scanlon, to the High Court. Another case of plague is reported from Paddington.

At the half-yearly meeting of the Bank of New South Wales the report submitted stated that net profits amounted to £132,800. A dividend at the rate of 10 per cent, per annum was declared, £30,000 added to the reserve, £5000 to the Officers' Provident Fund, and £16,270 carried forward.

The Chairman said the large all-round increase in deposits could be ascribed to the improved condition of the various producing industries. The outlook was promising. The reserve funds were now £1,400,000.

Mr C K. Mackellar was elected a director in place of Mr K. M. Faithful, resigned.

ADELAIDE, May 23

The Government has purchased 24,000 acres of the Aulaby Estate at £3 2s 6d per acre for closer settlement. BRISBANE, May 23.

The Marine Board found that the temporai'y abandonment of the Pilbarra off Erromanga-was perfectly justified, and expressed appreciation of the seamanlike and judicious action of the captain throughout a trying time; also that he was ably assisted by the officers and crew. A disputation of kanakas waited on the visiting Federal members at Rockhampton and petitioned that the act be amended to enable kanakas to remain in Queensland.

KALGOORLIE, May 23.

Three men- have been committed for trial for sweating sovereigns. The men are George M'Kinley, a bookmaker, George Wallace, assayer, and Michael Lane, a baker.