AUSTRALIAN CABLES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3619, 24 July 1923, Page 26

AUSTRALIAN CABLES.

RICH GOLD FIND. PERTH, July 21. An important gold find is reported in Allen’s “Mighty Atom” leases of the Mutooroo country, . comprising huge hill lodes 20ft in width/ One lode is stated to carry 50 ounces of gold to the ton. The average over ail three lodes is estimated at five ounces. SALE OF NEW ZEALAND BULLOCKS. MELBOURNE, July 20. The second consignment of New Zealand ■bullocks arrived in excellent condition. They were generally admired for the uniformity of the quality. At the sale odd beasts sold at up to £4O 10s. and pens sold at from £2l 10s to _£23 17s 6d. The consignment averaged slightly over £26 The estimated average weight was 8301 b. BROKEN HILL MINE FIRE. SYDNEY, July 16. Firemen went below in the Central mine, Broken Hill, to clear the atmosphere of fumes with the aid of a suction plant. They ultimately succeeded in turning hoses on to the flames. The men reported that the flames were extinguished in the 400 ft level, which was then sealed. July 17. The main drive to the 400 ft level at the Central mine is blocked up through a big fall which occurred on Saturday night. Smoke is now seen at the 500 f- level, but it is not ascertained whether the fire has reached the higher level or whether the smoke is emanating from the 400 ft level. GERMAN CONSUL FOR AUSTRALIA. MELBOURNE, July 17. Herr W. Busing has been appointed German Consul-General in the Commonwealth. This is the first consular appointment from enemy countries for Australia since the war. Herr Busing was selected by the German Government and appointed through the Secretary of State for the Colonies, after consultation with the Commonwealth Government, who indicated that it raised no objection to the re-establishment of former enemy consulates, but reserved the right to object to any particular appointment, whether in an honorary capacity or as Consul de Ca-rriere. No information has been obtained concerning Herr Busing’s qualifications, but tbe, Commonwealth is satisfied with the Secretary of State's assurance of his suitability. His jurisdiction extends over Australia, New Zealand, New Guinea, Fiji, and the other Pacific Islands. INSCRIPTION OBJECTED TO. SYDNEY. July 13. The Indian community in Sydney has protested to the trustees of the National Gallery against an inscription under a bust of Mahomet, which says “His was a sen nous face, selfish, and cruel.” The Indians pointed out that the name of Mahomet, is to one-third of the human race what Christ is to the Christian world, and in keeping with a spirit of toleration for (he religious rights of the people the trustees should obliterate this historically inaccurate and gratuitously offensive inscription.

ERECTION OF SOLDIERS’ HOMES. MELBOURNE, July 19. In the House of Representatives the Minister of Works announced that the Commonwealth Government had paid £IO,OOO in full settlement of a writ issued by one firm, which had claimed £45.000 for the cancellation of its contract with the War Service Homes’ Department. A writ has been issued on behalf of A. and E. Ellis, Ltd., claiming £25,000 from the Commonwealth Government for breach of contract, also with the War Service Homes’ Department. THE VICTORIAN BUDGET. MELBOURNE, July 19. In the Assembly the State Treasurer (Mr W. M. M’Pherson) stated that the revenue for the financial year showed a surplus of £340,090. instead of £30.000 as estimated. The railways, for the first time in many years, had produced a surplus totalling £3C,€OO. The operations of the Post Office for the year ended June 30 showed a profit of £1,459,850. The Postmaster-General proposes to recommend a reduction in the postage of 2d to l£d. HORSES DETERIORATING. SYDNEY. July 19. In his annual report. Sir Harry Chauvel, Inspector-General of Military Forces, refers to the growing shortage of military horses in Australia, He says that, the prospect of Australia producing in any quantity the class of horses which established such a record during the lost war is so doubtful that he considers the matter worthy of serious attention. The last re mount order from Tndia for 4000 horses took many months to fill. Thousands were relented. chiefly on account of bad conformation generally a"nd want of substance and bone. It was obvious that the standard of the riding horse was deteriorating, and that the breeders were doing little to prevent it. TWO FISHERMEN DROWNED. MELBOURNE, July 17. During a storm at Westernport on Sunday a fishing boat overturned, and two men named Haebich and Roscoe were drowned. Two others managed to swim ashore exhausted. Another disaster is feared. A yacht with two men and a boy aboard went out in the same storm, and the vessel is missing. July 20. Fisherman found the missing yacht, cansized. off the Mornineton fishing grounds There was no trace of M’Pherson or Davies A coat and hat found later in the dav are believed to have belonged to the missing men. All hope has been abandoned. GENERAL. A vigorous rat campaign in New South Wales since the fata! plague case was reoorted has failed to disclose any infected rodents. It is estimated that there are over 18.000 unemployed in New South Wales. 8900 of whom are idle through the coal dispute. The Federal Government has apointepd Mr Justice Cohen as president of the Roval Commission which is to inquire into the Sumatra disaster. The Fiii Legislative Council reeomuj'pnded an _ alteration of the toffers Patent giving civil servants the vote at the election of members, and also permitting Indians to elect, two members of the Legislature It is now estimated that the expenses in connection with the stranding of tbe steamer Iron Monarch, at Port Kembla, on July 8. will reach £95 000. The Ne.v South Wales Government is winding up the State trawling industry, and has sold four of its trawlers. Tt is stated that a New Zealander purchased one for £3BOO and offered £3500 for an other. The Minister of Labour describes Sir John Simon’s statement in the House of Commons regarding Queensland having in 1921, under Labour Government more unemployed than any other part of the world as rid’culons in the extreme. The registered unemployed in Queensland at present amount to 1.6 per cent, of the total employables in the State, while Great Britain’s percentage is 10.9. Mr William Quinn, an Invercargill merchant, who has just returned from a visit to the East, says that Chinese officials in Peking claim that the Chinese discovered Australia 2000 years ago. They base their claim on a book, known as “The Classic of Mountain and Flood,” in the archives of China, ' The Federal House of Representatives has appointed a Special Committee to inquire into the effects of the operation of the Navigation Act, upon Australian trade Miss Ethel Campbell, known as “The, Angel of Durban” to thousands of Australian and New Zealand soldiers who called at the South African port during t.hb war, because of her unwearying attention to their wants, arrived in Sydney, and was given a demonstrative welcome by soldiers.