AUSTRALIAN.

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13316, 17 January 1912, Page 4

AUSTRALIAN.

[Pl* ->y:, Ai^cn." :iq;:—Coramr.nT.] I Sydney, Jan 16. It is noticeable that visitors from the Japanese wirships arc purchasing maps of Sydney extensively. The interim report of tho Commissioner inquiring into the traffic congestion r>t Darling Harbour finds thai adequate provision was not mado for handling outward merchandise, nnu that tho necessary labour for lauding was not provided. Last year 6752 new buildings worn completed in Svduoy ?.nd suburbs, to tho value of £3,5i'.1000. Tho residential flat .system is rapidly grow ing, and i\ uuftibpr of additional buiktiuys with largo flats have- been freetotl. The inquiry into the- charge's made by the Speaker; Mr Willis, against Mr Robinson, chief of the "Hansard" staff, whom ho suspended, has been completed. The Commissioner ' reports to tko Government. ; The ton miles cycling championship of New South Wales has been won by Beck in 25min 7secs. Tho steamer Taiyuan from the East, is quarantined on account of smallpox during tho voyago. During-a storm ai Orange lightning shattered all the windows on ene side of two carriages of a. train. Tho passwigers were uninjured. The hoat is intense in the country. Jit some station g tile temperature wag 112 to-day. ; Melbourne, Jan 16. A 3Jf£ seam of coal has been discovered at ATonthaggi, a* a depth of 1000 feet.