Australian.

Southland Times, Issue 133357, 20 January 1896, Page 2

Australian.

SYDNEY, Jan. 18. Extreme heat continues in the interior and many additional deaths from its effects are reported. The quarter-mile Bwimtning championship of Australia was won by Gormley ; Leo, 2 ; Holmes, 3. Gormley did the distance easily in 6 mm. 8 sees. ; this establishes the Australian record. Stratton and Hoey also started. The New South Wales annual shipping returns show that 1694 ships arrived during that period at Port Jackson, aggregate tonnage 3,173,000, an increase of over 89,000 on the previous year, while 1336 ships lefc the port, tonnage 2,754,000, an increase of 122 700. The number of seamen engaged through the shipping office was 11,2C0, while the number of discharges regis,ered was 10,100. The total amount ef seamen's wages paid was L 33,650. The intercolonial coastal trade, especially in regard to steamers, showed a much healthiei tone than in 1894, there having been remarkable activity ail round, many vessels lying idle having been placed in profitable commission. Both in respect to passage moneys and freight, rates have greatly improved. Special reference ia made to the recovery of rates in New Zealand. Jan. 19. Received 20th, 0.30 a.m. A cool soaking drizzly rain hao fallen since Saturday night. The half-mile swimming championship of Australasia was won by Percy Cavill ; Leo, 2; Murphy, 3. Gormley retired after leading for three laps. Won by 20 yards. Hoey and Stratton also started. Time 13 mm 27 4-oths sees. The Pacific Cable Conference has concluded its deliberations. It adopted recommendations in favour of the construction of a cable touching only on territory owned by the British empire ; the cost to be borne in equal thirds by Great Britain, Canada and the Australasian colonies ; the route to be via Fanning Island, Fiji and Norfolk Island, thence bifurcating to New Zealand and Moreton Bay. The AgentsGeneral of New South Wales and Victoria were selected as the Australian delegates to the Imperial Colonial Conference to be held in Louden to di cuss the question. The position of South Australia in regard to the new line was discussed at great length, the conference recommending her to join in. Finally is was resolved that l)r Cockburn should make a proposition embodying the terms on which his colony was prepared to come in. It is understood that the proposal is that the other colonies should meet South Australia by pooling the cost of the Port) Darwin line on the basis of the business done over it during the last five years. BRISBANE, Jan. 18. The imports to the colony for the last quarter amounted in value to L 1,210,000, an increase of a quarter of a million compared with the corresponding quarter of the prei vious year. The last quarter's exports amounted to L 3,166,000,, 166,000, a decrease of L 267.000 on the exports of the same quarter of 1894. MELBOURNE, Jan. 18. The half-yearly report of the Bank of Victoria states the profits for the past six months to be L 20,600, to which has to be added L 16,500 fiom the previous half-year. It is proposed to pay a. dividend of 5 per cent, on preference shares, and to carry L 26.700 forward. The directors have decided to continue the policy of strengthen- | ing the reserves instead of distributing the profits ; hence they will pay no dividend on ' ordinary shares. The bank's gold reserve totals L 1,668,000., 668, 000. Received 19th, 6 p.m. In the inter-Univerisity cricket match the Sydney Eleven scored 336 runs in their first innings. Melbourne's first innings closed for 189, but, having to follow on, they made a much better stand, and at call of time had only one wicket down for 122. At the V.A.T.C. meeting the Anniversary Handicap was won. by Bung Bung ; Trent, 2; Captain Swift, 3. Nine horses started. Won easily. Time— l mm. 48 seos. The half-yearly report of the Broken Hill Proprietary Company shows a net profit for the six months ended November of L.292,000, of which L 288.000 was distributed to shareholders and the balance carried forward. The reserve now stands at L 661.000. The gross receipts for the half-year were LBIB.OOO ; the working expenses L 488.000. The cost of subduing the fire in Block 11 was L 20.000. The new plant for the treatment of low grade and sulphide ores ia working satisfactorily and giving fair profits, but there are still a number of initial difficulties to overcome. Mueller and party have struck a rich reef in the Omeo district. It is seven feet thick, and is estimated to yield 30 ounces of gold to to the ten. ADELAIDE, Jan. 18. Storms are causing much interruption to the overland telegraph lines and delaying the cable service. HOBART, Jan. 18. At the half-yearly meetiog of the Commercial Bank of Tasmania, the chairman stated the liquid assets of the institution to be L 517,000, equal to nearly 8s in the pound of the total liabilities. Owing to the depression the directors could not find profit-

I able investments for money. Concurrently with the payment of a reduced dividend of 5 per cent, a graduated reduction would bs made in the salaries of all officers of th<s bank. Jan. 19. Received 20th. 0.30 a.m. The Sunbeam, with Lord Brassey and party on board, while returning from Hobarfc to Melbourne grounded on a rock on th'S Tasoianian coast). The warship KarrakaCtil has gone to her assistance.