AUSTRALIA.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5519, 20 March 1896, Page 3

AUSTRALIA.

'■ i* * [Per Press Association.] VICTORIAN WHEAT YIELD. MELBOURNE, March 19. The Government Statist' has issued a preliminary return of the wheat harvest. The figures are incomplete, but it is unlikely that the average yield will be altered to a great extent. The gross crop is put at 4,628,231 bushels, giving an average of 4'll bushels to the acre. THE BOARD OF TRADE INQUIRY. MELBOURNE, March 20. The Sangster Board of Inquiry was mainly occupied yesterday in investigating charges against the Underwriters' Association. Several officials, including Mr Cleveland, Secretary, denied Captain M'Kenzie's .statement. The ex-Chairman admitted that the reason for not re-engaging Captain M'Kenzie was owing to his suspicious valuation of a steamer. THE JOINT STOCK BANK. The Argiis has been informed by the Board of Directors of the Joint Stock Bank that the statement in a recent financial article to the effect that the bank would have to ask for a reduction of interest is absolutely without foundation. The journal expresses regret at having published the statement. LOCAL OPTION. SYDNEY, March 19. Presiding at a temperance demonstration, the Hon J. Garrard announced that the Government would next session introduce a Bill to extend the local option principle. He- hoped to see the Gothenburg system become law. SCULLING. SYDNEY, March 20. Stanbury sails for England to-morrow. The race with Harding is fixed for July 13. FLOGGING IN FIJI. Sir John Thurston says there is some misconception in regard to Mr Chamberlain's reply in the House of Commons on the subject of flogging in Fiji. Sir John says that no such practice as flogging exists in Fiji, but during his absence an officer ordered certain natives to be flogged, an altogether illegal, reprehensible and unprecedented thing. Tho officer was removed by the Administrator of the Government, to another district on a reduced salary. .