AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 December 1923, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

EMBARGO ON BRITISH CATTLE. By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Melbourne, Dec. 27. Owing to the outbreak of foot and mouth digease in Great Britain, the Commonwealth Government has prohibited the importation into Australia of cattle, sheep, swine and goats from Great Britain. THE OIiL~WELL SWINDLE. Perth, Dec. 27. Thompson has been arrested on a charge of conspiring with Rothkohl to defraud the public in connection with the Lake Eva oil case. DROUGHT BROKEN. Sydney, Dec. 27. .The area covered by the rainstorm extended to New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania and South Australia. The drought in New South Wales is thoroughly broken and flood warnings have been issued, as the northern riven* are rising rapidly. Sydney, Dec. *26. Heavy rain in various parts of the State has broken the drought and f’efiulted in many wash-aways of railways, thus seriously interrupting traffic. Sydney, Dec. 28. Further reports show that thc‘ whole. State benefited by the recent rains. The heaviest falls were recorded in the parts not previously benefitingBrisbane, Dec. 28. Steady rain during the pflst three days has been experienced in the cotton belt. Perth and West Australia have also benefited by the heavy general rain. FRAUD ON BANK. Melbourne, Dec. 27. By means of forged correspondence, in which he used the bank’s private code, a man defrauded the head office of the English, Scottish and Australian Bank of £2500. No arrest has been made. FAT STOCK PRICES. Sydney, Dec. 28. Tn consequence of there being no stock sales next Monday competition for Homebush offerings was keen, the value of mutton rising 8s on the previous week’s aalee. Beef rose £1 to £2 on previous rates. THE BATTLESHIP "aVSTR AtTA. Melbourne, Dec. 28. It is understood that a syndicate of Melbourne business men is paying £3OOO for the fittings on the battleship Australia. They hope to realise a profit by the sale of souvenirs.