NEWS BY CABLE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3277, 3 January 1917, Page 36

NEWS BY CABLE.

WRECK OF A LINER. The Liverpool liner Alonora struck the rocks at Baltimore. .Fourteen were drowned. The survivors endured terriblo sufferings. Great waves washed over them for 16 hours. They then reached a rocky islet, where they were marooned for 20 hours. They were then rescued by a motor boat. BRITISH REVENUE RETURNS. Tho revenue for the nine months ended December 31 was £293,140,611—an increase of £125,363,337. The Customs revenue for *he nine months showed an increase of €12,419,000. Excise decreased by £2,941,000. THE IRISH QUESTION. Preliminary conferences for tlie settlement of the Irish question arc already being held, and definite progress is expected immediately. It is understood that Mr Lloyd George is forcing tho pace. He is Rending additional Government representatives to assist Mr Duke, Chief Secretary for Ireland, at the conferences. MR MASSEY HONOURED. Mr Massey will receive a degree at Edinburgh on January 12. The Provost of Edinburgh has written to Mr Massey, congratulating him upon his expressed view that it would have been better if at the outset of the war the Imperial Government had called the Dominions' representatives to a War Council, which has now materialised. RIOTS IN CORK. Serious riots occurred in Cork on Saturday night. Six hundred Sinn Feiners attacked 50 soldiers returning from an entertainment. The soldiers fled, but the police charged and scattered the rioters with batons, injuring several. Later isolated soldiers were attacked. JAPAN AND THE UNITED STATES. The Japanese Government has. cabled to President Wilson a denial of the recent sensational reports giving a reassurance of continued friendship. The message says that Japan will not acquire British superDreadnoughts after the war. Regarding the disposition of tho Carolines and other Pacific Islands, Japan says she is quite ready to settle their disposal in peace on terms, that the Entente Powers approve. BRIGANDAGE IN MEXICO. An official report has been received stating that Villa, advancing on Chilhuahua with 1000 men, captured a train of ammunition and 16 cannon. When he recently took Torreon, General Ilerrera, leader of the Carranzists, court-martialled and executed General Tulanmntes, but committed suicide when Villa defeated him. LONDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. A Special Committee of tho London Chamber of Commerce recommends the restriction of enemy traders within the Empire, State aid for improving land and Water transport, and penalising enemy shipping ; State co-operation on promising trade, the banks to assist business abroad; wages, sufficient to secure for workers a reasonable standard of living; profit-sharing co-partnership; technical education; preference by_ Government departments to local authorities for goods produced within tho Empire; the non-return of any enemy ships in the possession of the Allies; and the replacement by the enemy of all ships «unk. DAYLIGHT-SAVING A SUCCESS.The Homo Office has communicated with the British Chambers of Commerce on the question of daylight saving. Tho replies received show that the change is decidedly popular in Britain. The considerable saving in the matter of artificial light has been beneficial to the industrial classes, especially in dense manufacturing centres. The workers also enjoy better health through spending the extra daylight out of doors, chiefly in the cultivation of their gardens. A HUGE DEAL. ' Mr Solomon Barnato Joel has bought out tho West Rand interests of Sir Joseph ■ Robinson. The price includes £2,000,000 in cash. It is the biggest deal in South Africa Since Mr Cecil Rhodes consolidated tho Kimberley diamond fields. It is believed that Mr Joel represents the Barnato Syndicate. Tho purchase includes the Randfontein Estate, and the Randfontein Central and Landlaagtc Estate. It will have a great effect upon the future of the West Rand properties. GENERAL ITEMS. The Daily Telegraph states that, after elaborate tests in the London Hospital for some years, the authorities conclude that syphilis is not necessarily hereditary, but may be contracted after birth. Tho Solicitor-general (Mr G. Howart, K.C.) has been knighted. Tho Viceroy of India, in tho course of a ftpeech, said ho hoped some day to sco India in a position of equality with tho sister nations of the Empire, but progress in that direction, though steady and sure, would not be rapd. The deaths are reported—Mr T. Fenwick Harrison, who donated £50,000 to tho Kitchener Memorial; Ilerr Oscar Straus, the composer of " The Chocolate Soldier." the much popular dance music; and the Right Hon. Thomas C. Casgrain, K. 0., Postmastcr-general_ of _ Canada, and previously professor o. f criminal law at Laval University.

The King and Queen of Hungary wore crowned at Budapest with the customary mediaeval pomp. Cardinal Czcrnoch performed the ceremony, in the presence of foreign diplomats.' The Opposition members of the Croatian Diet refused to assist in the appointment, of a delegation to attend the coronation. They declared that Hungary was a most cruel oppressor of small nationalities. The Opposition members quitted the Chamber. AUSTRALIAN NEWS. A wireless message was received in Melbourne on the 28th nit. from the Aurora, stating "AIJ well." Victoria's revenue for the half-year was £4.659.096—an increase of £210.557. The Now South Wales revenue for the half-year was £3.835.467. an increase of £240.645. as compared with the previous corresponding half-year Daylight saving was inaugurated smoothly in Australia. The extra hour of sunlight

was generally appreciated. The amusement tax cane.' into operation on the Ist. In-Australia the weather was line for the holidays. The crowds were cheerier and more demonstrative than last year. There is evidences that the 6 o'clock closing in New iSouth Wales has increased the sobriety and improved tho Christmas trade. The "Victorian oversea trade lor 1916 is expected to show a decrease of £5,000,000 for imports, and an increase of £4,800,000 for exports, as compared with 1915. In view of trade statements as to tho necessity for a heavy riso in tho price of boots at an early date, a proclamation under the War Regulations Act has been issued, placing them under price-fixing conditions

It is estimated that the New South Wales miners lost £240,000 in wages by the late coal strike.

All restrictions imposed by the Naval Department- regarding the supply and distribution of coal as the result of tho late strike were removed on Sunday night. 31st ult.

Owing to two firemen deserting from the Huddart-Parkor steamer Westralia the vessel was delayed in Sydney for about 12 hours.

A conference of New South Wales colliery proprietors and pit mechanics' representatives resulted in the proprietors granting increases of from 10 to 20 per cent, wages and conceding eight instead of eight and a half hours for some men, and a six-hour day on Saturday, preference to unionists from January 1 "if the unions accept them. The bankruptcies for 1916 in New South Wales totalled 393, as compared with 448 for the previous year. Tho liabilities were £383,438, and the assets £303,893. Tho building trade in New South Wales during 1916 was dull, 5753 new buildings, costing £6,500,000, being erected. Tho report of tho New South Wales police operations for the year states that tho early closing of hotels has had a marked result, since it reduced the number of offences, although it wae_ responsible for an increase in sly grog-selling Reviewing the work of the New South Wales Education Department, Mr James, the Minister in charge, said that the children in isolated districts, whom it is impossible to reach by means of schools, must be taught by correspondence Tho Postmaster-general intends to place tho department on a sound economical foundation, and has foreshadowed changes in tho rates and conditions for Government telegrams, lettergrams, newspapers, and magazines. The Australian Jockey Club has approved of ' fivo totalisator companies being registered in Sydney, and has asked them to submit a proposal in connection with the erection of machines at Randwick. DAMAGE BY STORM. The season in the Orange district, New South Wales, has been the i wettest on record. The climax came in the shape of a terrific storm, which devastated orchards and crops, and fivo lives were lost. Mrs Campbell, with three children, and Mr William James, a prominent settler and nephew of Walter Oaks, were crossing the river, when they were swept away by the flood and all were drowned. Tho damage done in tho Millthorpo district is estimated at £150,000. Tho harvest is ruined. FATAL FLOODS IN QUEENSLAND. Mc.'gro details have been received in Brisbane of a flood disaster at Claremont, Queensland. Heavy rains caused an overflow of Sandy Creek, and a great body of water swept into the town. Three parts of tho main street was washad away, and all the houses in the low-lying parts were demolished. Tho railway and telegraph lines were washed away, and the 6nly communication was by telephone. The first reports stated that 100 people bed been drowned or were missing, but later the police reported that 25 were drowned and 15 missing. Included in the missing is Mr Crawford, cx-member of Parliament for Mount Morgan, and Mr Young (stock inspector). The food supply is short, and relief is being sent. SIX LIVES LOST. At Perth, W.A., a girl named Kathleen Gorman got beyond her depth owing to the lifeline parting, and she and five would-be rescuers —William Djunary, Edward Daymon, George Hopkins, John Smith, and Peter Daly—were drowned.