COMMONWEALTH CABLES.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 29, 31 December 1917, Page 3

COMMONWEALTH CABLES.

OBITUARIES. Press Association—Copyright, Sydney, December 30. Obituaries.—Rear-Admiral Bridges a former commander on the Australasian station. Mr Forsyth, generalmanager for Burns, Philip and Company. Mr John May, member for the. Flinders seat in the Queensland Parliament. The last-named was killed while hoarding a train.

NEW SOUTH WALES REVENUE. Press Association—Copyright. Sydney, December 30. New South Waless half-year’s revenue decreased by £75,592 as compared with the corresponding halfyear of 1916. HEAT WAVE AND BUSH FIRES. Press Association—Copyright. (Received 9.15 a.m.) Sydney, December 31. The' heat wave !Tas returned with exceptional plenitude. The grass was in a favourable condition for bush!' fires, and wide areas have been swept in the Wagga, Hay, and Forbes districts, including considerable quantities of standing wheat.

THE COPRA TRADE. Press Association—Copyright. (Received 9.15 a.m.) Sydney, December 31. Trade firms interested in the copra trade are concerned over unofficial rumours that America intends to prohibit the importation of copra. Since tin; war, the United States has been the principal market. It is understood that the object is to divert a large amount of the tonnage engaged in this trade to the carriage ot wheat and other products. THE YEAR’S BANKRUPTCIES.

Press Association—Copyright. (Received 9.15 a.m.) Sydney, December 31. New South Wales bankruptcy petitions for the year numbered 301, and the liabilities totalled £227,603, compared to 393 and £383,448 for last year. VICTORIAN TELEPHONES. Press Association—Copyright. (Received 9.15 a.m.) Melbourne, December 31. The Postmaster-General’s report for the year shows a profit of £48,000 in the telephone business, compared ,to a loss of £270,000 for the previous! y ear . This is the first time the hnsiJ .ness has shown, a profit, and the result disproves the contention that increased charges decreases the use of the instrument. )