CABLEGRAMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3244, 17 May 1916, Page 18

CABLEGRAMS.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN. LONDON, May 8. Mr C. Roberts, in the House of Commons, said that the Government of India was permitting the private export of •wheat, imposing certain restrictions concerning quantities and destinations. The dockers' strike at Liverpool continues. May 9. The president of the Royal Geographical Society states that probably a small and select committee, under Admiralty control, will be formed to devise means to cuccout Sir E. Shackleton. In the case of the Mangaone Oil Fields versus Herman Wiger, manufacturer, of New Zealand, the appeal*- -was dismissed •with costs. [An action was brought by the respondent against the appellants claiming the value of certain pipes which had been used in connection with boring for oil. The question at issue was whether the appellants had to pay for pipes which could not be removed though the presence of those pipes was necessary to enable other pipes to be removed, which the appellants were prepared to pay for. The Court of Appeal decided that the appellants should pay for all pipes. At the Court of Appeal Sir John Findlay and Mr H. Lusk appeared for the appellants, and Mr Skerrett and Mr G. Samuel for respondents.] Denmark, Norway, and Sweden will adopt the daylight saving principle from May 15. May 10. The operations of the Trust and Agency Company of Australia show a profit of £65,3C0, of which £7BOO will be carried forward. May 11. Mr W. M. Hughes has received an invitation to call at Capetown on his return Journey, and he will probably accept it. May 12. In the House of Commons, Mr Asquith said the Government is causing the Union Jack to be flown over public buildings on Empire Day (May 24), and he hoped the example would be followed generally. May 13. Sweden and Norway have admitted the daylight saving provisions. COPENHAGEN, May 12. A great fire has occurred at Hamburg docks, which destroyed two large warehouses and three steamers. PEKING, May 8. The city of Cheng-tu has assumed its independence without making any formal declaration to that effect. ■«a» INTFT?Cr>V;ONIAL. MELBOURNE, May 9. It is officially estimated that last year's Victorian live stock decreases were:

Sheep, 1,506,053; dairy cows, 159,429; other cattle, 159,509; pigs, 51,194; horses, 58,274. May 10. The State War Council has issued cards to soldiers in the Victorian training camps in order to ascertain their post-war intentions. Out of 9000 cards returned only 1927 expressed a desire for settlement on the land. The Federal delegates to • the Empire Parliamentary Association meetings in London have been chosen, and will leave towards the end of the month. May 13. Michael Crowley, who killed his wife with a poker on March 14 at a North Melbourne boarding-house and then tried to cut his throat, has. been sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment. SYDNEY, May 9. The Labour Conference unanimously rerolved in favour of making the Necessary Commodities Commission a permanent auxiliary to the Arbitration Court, for the purpose of limiting profits. A committee was appointed to submit a scheme to the Government. The New South Wales Government's proposed Snowy River hydro-electric scheme is estimated to cost £5,000.000. The City Council has adopted the principle of preference of employment to unionists. The deatk is recorded of Mr John A. Badgery, a noted pastoralist, whose son John is farming in New Zealand. May 10. Empire Day (May 24) will not be recognised as a public holiday, as has previously been the case. May 11. The Commodities Commission has issued now butter grading regulations as regards prices, eliminating " first grade " and substituting "choicest," with the object of improving the standard. The prices fixed are: —Choicest. 135 s 4d per cwt; second grade, 1265; third grade, 121 s 4d. A Defence League has been formed to protect property-owners from political dangers threatening them. j May 13. Speaking in the Presbyterian General Assembly, the Rev. Mr Bandt deplored the increase of vice in Sydney. He declared the wickedness was largely due to the Sunday papers serving up Saturday's passions and sport, and he urged the abolition of Sunday papers. May 15. A fire destroyed the premises of the Acme Bedstead Company at Alexandria. • The damage done is estimated at £9OOO. BRISBANE, May 14. Dr Henry Ellerton, inspector of asylums, has been awarded £3325 damages against Mr John Wren (proprietor) for a libel published in the Daily Mail regarding the asylum administration. May 15. The Supreme Court has granted an in-

terim injunction restraining the Govern ment from carrying on fire insurance.