AUSTRALIAN CABLE.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 2889, 14 December 1898, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN CABLE.

United Presß Association— By Electric Telegraph— Copyright. Received December 13th, 9.25 ia.m. THE NEW SOUTH WALES WHEAT HARVEBT. Sydney, December 13. The Herald Bays that continued unfavourable conditions reduces the estimated wheat yield of the colony to about 9,000,000 bushels. THE SHIPPING COMBINATION. Details have been received of the Anglo-American shipping combination to control the Australian trade. The ratea for sailers have been doubled, and for steamers trebled, compared with late quotations. Bucknall Bros., Houldec Bros., and* the Federal Line control th 6 steam, while a combination, representing steamship owners and American shippers, known as the Trust, will determine rates and values. Atl classes of American imports have taken a further smart rise. DEATH PROM ANTHRAX. A man named Haines died at Wagga from anthrax communicated by the bite of a spider. Received December 13th, 6.50 p.m. THE MOKOIA LUNCHEON. The initiation of the Mokoia's intercolonial trade was the occasion of a luncheon attended by the leading men m trade, commerce, and politics m Sydney. The Premier, and several of the Ministry were present. Mr Reid, replying to the toast of the Ministry, said that the Mokoia represented the best which could be obtained m a modern steam vessel of her size. She was absolutely the best ship afloat to*day m point of convenience and improve" ments. The Premier hoped to do every* thing possible to cultivate trade relations with New Zealand, which was a great and enterprising colony. In the event of federation, while recognising that New Zealand's circumstances prevented her joining, he expressed the hope that federated Australia would be found cultivating m a friendly spirit close relations with New Zealand. From personal knowledge he glowingly referred to the untiring energies of Mr Jackson, the local manager, m promoting the welfare of the company m New South Wales during the past twenty years. Mr See, who was Postmaster when firßt the San Francisco contract made the company, hoped to see a fortnightly service with America inaugurated by the Union Company. While not disparaging the Suez route, it wonld be well, m the event of war, to have a good service with Great Britain through America. It would tend to unite by closer bonds America and the British race. The Union Company were a credit to Port Jackson. Sir George Dibbs said that while it was not creditable to New South Wales that she had allowed the intercolonial trade to slip from her, all honour was due to the enterprise of New Zealand and the Union Company, which had don** great service to this colony. Other speeches were of a congratulatory character, and contained references to Mr Mills' energy on behalf of the company. Received December 13th, 10.40 p.m. EXECUTION OF A CHINAMAN. Wong Ming was executed to-day at Dubb.o for the murder of a fellowcountryman. ' ' ' A MINISTER EXONERATED. The report of the Royal Commission which was appointed to enquire into the charges of corruption against the Minister of Public Works over the recent election, exonerates the Minister.