LOSSES REDUCED.

Southland Times, Issue 19004, 25 March 1903, Page 3

LOSSES REDUCED.

:m:arconigrams declined

PAYJNd FOU A PRINCIPLE

4 PEB CENT. DID NOT TEMPT

LOCAL BORROWING

(F«r United Press Association.) By Electric Telegraph— Copyright. \ •-.* SYDNEY, March 24. ' The damage done' by the filler's Point fire is officially stated at not les* than £250,000.

Oght rain is -falling.MELBOURNE, March 24. In reference to the Marconi Coinpans's offer to connect Australia and New Zealand, the Federal Government has decided that the existing methods answers all requirements and are cheaper than tho Marconi sysThe 'White- Australia" policy is at present costing; £60,000 in the w»<y of sugar rebates. This amount is due to planters who worked thenholdings witJi white labour last year The Cabinct^will now decide whether; the cost shall be borne by the whole* \)i the Stakes or by t N.S. Wales and Queensland alone, in which States coloured labour is employed. '■■ Tenders for a Melbourne Board of Works loan of £1,137,000 at 4* per cent. was . opened, a total of £400,000 being subscribed. Underwriters take the balance. The average price was £100 Os l|d, The Admiralty contract to supply the Hong Kong station©? the China Squadron has been secured by. Mr Roxburgh, of Melbourne, on behalf of London principals. The coal will be supplied by Westport. HOBART, March 2^. Nominations for "the general flections indicate that ,the Government will be stubbornly opposed. I , PERTH, March 14. The Treasurer intends to raise £400,000 locally, and a quarter of a million of it will be placed on the market early next month.