COMMONWEALTH CABLES.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 49, 22 October 1912, Page 2

COMMONWEALTH CABLES.

VICE-REGAL RESIDENCE. Sydney, October 21. A statement has been published that the King, before Lord Denman left England in 1911, besides expressing a very definite view of the desirability of retaining Government House in Sydney as a residence for the GovernorGeneral, intimated a desire to visit Australia at an early opportunity and use Government House as a residence during his sojourn in New South Wales. Mr Holman characterises the statement as extraordinary, and roundly denies that the Government ever received any communication conveying these views. The only definite information seems to have been the conversation with Mr Paxton, a member of the Chamber of Commerce Commission. There is no record in the correspondence of the New South Wales Government that His Majesty was ever interested in the matter. The Colonial Office, however, used the King’s name in a despatch to Mr Fisher in a way to suggest that His Majesty was personally interested. The New South Wales Ministers wore not taken into Mr Fisher’s confidence on this point. (Received 9.30 a.m.) Sydney, October 22. The United Charities Saturday collection amounted to £2015, which was equal to last year’s amount. Steady rain has commenced. It is greatly needed. (Received 10.10 a.m.) Sydney, October 22. The Montreal Builders’ Association is determined to resist the Union demands for preference of unionists. Mr Bruntnell, a metuber of the Assembly, speaking against the totalisator, said be had no doubt the fascination of the tote had increased the volume of betting amongst all classes in Now Zealand. The real danger,

it seemed, was that it w'ould draw into the toils the individual who did not dream of betting with a bookmaker. Melbourne, October 22. After the Federal gold reserve of four million sovereigns was recently recounted, the dust was swept up and yielded £1 9s worth of gold after treatment. The Treasury benefited to the extent of 18s 4d. The Melbourne Steamship Co.’s appeal against a fine for refusing to answer a question under the Anti-trust Act was heard before tho High Court, which decided that the company was not compelled to answer. The appeal was allowed with costs. After an address from Mr Hickey, of the New' Zealand Federation of Labour, a meeting of Wonthaggi miners endorsed a federation of coal miners in Australia. Speaking at the Trafalgar Day celebration, Mr Pearce urged the necessity of the Mother Country and the Dominions acting together with this object. The Federal Government was looking to New Zealand and asking her to join and make the fleet a unit in the Pacific stronger and larger.