LATE WIRES.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 20, Issue 68, 27 August 1909, Page 7

LATE WIRES.

[By Telegraph Special to Guardian]

Damages for Libel. Melbourne, Aug. 26. George Swinburne, M.L.A., Melbourne, who sued the “Age” newspaper for libel, obtained a verdict of £3250 damages. Mr Justice Hodges, in the course of bis summing up, said that if public men of high standing could, whether there was foundation for the attacks or not, bo referred to by a newspaper as the plaintiff had been, public life would become unbearable.

A Potato Famine. Perth, Aug. 26. Only ten days’ supply of potatoes is now held here, Tho price has risen to £25 per ton. A Cricket Coach. Napier, Last Night. At a meeting of the Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association to-night it was decided to cable to Mr E. H. Williams, at present in England, instructing him to close with the offer of the services of Broad, the English professional, as coach for the Association.

The Cost of Peace. London, Aug. 26. A return of the expenditure of the principal Powers for naval purposes shows the chief amounts to be — £ Great Britain 35,000,000 United States .. 28,750.000 Germany .. .. 19,500,000 The amounts voted for new com* strudion by these three countries are as follow—- £ Germany .. .. 10,751,000 Great Britain .. 10,250,000 United States .. 10,015,000

Addington Stock Sale. Christchurch, Last Night. At Addington to-day the entries of store sheep were larger than those made last week, principally of ewes. Prices generally showed a slight decline. Two tooth crossbred ewes made 14s 4d, 2 tooth balfbreds of medium quality 13s 3d. 2,4, 6, and 8 tooth crossbreds 12s 6d to 14s; 6 tooths 13s 6d; sound mouthed ewes 10s to 12s, aged 9s to 10s, small and inferior 7s 2d. A few aged ewes with lambs were passed at 7s 4d, all counted; good ewe hoggets made 12s to 13s, mixed sexes (good) 10s to lOs 6d, medium 8s 9d to 9s 6d. ' There was a large entry of fat sheep, including some pens of prime heavy weight wethers. There was fair com-* petition among butchers, but prices showed a decline on last week’s rates. A West Coast buyer operated largely. Prices kept well up to opening rates, though several lines were passed. Extra prime wethers made 19s to 20s Id, prime wethers 15s to 18s 6d, others 12s 6d to 14s 6d; prime ewes 14s to 16s, others 11s to IBs 6d ; hoggets 12s 8d to 13s 3d; merinojwefchers 14s 6d.