AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8557, 16 October 1907, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

PETROLEUM DISCOVERIES. Received October 15, 8.40 a.m. BRISBANE, October 15. Valuable petroleum discoveries are reported at Boonah. MR JUSTICE HOOD. Received October 15, 8.40 a.,m. , MELBOURNE, October 15. Cabinet has accepted Mr Justice Hood's resignation of the presidency of the Industrial Appeal Court. (Mr Justice Hood resigned his position because, he said, he found that misstatements, slanders, and accusations had been circulated broadcast concerning the Court). RAIN NEEDED. Received October 15, 8.24 a.m. SYDNEY, October 15. The outlook in the country, owing to continued dry weather, is becoming serious. It is feared that unlass there is rain very shortly, crops in many districts will be a failure. A CHARITY BILL. Rtcaived October 15, 8.40 p.m. MELBOURNE, October 15. The Charity Bill of the Premier (the Hon. T. Btnt) besides taxing sports and amusements, proposes a 5 per cent, impost on the profits of newspapeis and banking institutions. A STRIKE THREATENED. - Received October 15, 9.19 a.m. SYDNEY, October 15. Western district miners have notifiad that they will cease work on Saturday next unless their demand for increased rates is conceded. LOCAL OPTION POLL. Received October 15, 9.19 a.m. SYDNEY, October 15. The final returns of the local option poll show that 65 electorates voted reduction, and 25 continuar.ee.

THE BARQUE AAGOT. Received October 15, 9.19 e.m. ADELAIDE, October 15. The barque Aagot, whicii went ashore on the west point of Wauraltee Island, has practically broken up. The disaster is attributed to the set of the current.

AUSTRALASIAN PRESS ASSOCIATION. Received October 13, 12.27 a.m. SYDNEY, October 15. The first annual convention of the Australasian Press Association wa« held to-day, delegates representing the Press Association and country associations of Victoria. New South Wales, New . Zealand, Queensland and South Australia, being present. It was decided to urge the formation of an Association in each State on the lines of the New South Wales Association, to fix a scale of advertising and promote the interests of members in relation to the cable and telegraphic services and other matters of mutual concern. A long dis cussion ensued on a proposal to establish an independent cable service. A committee was appointed to further discuss the project. It was resolved to urge the Federal Government to invite 25 editors from Great Britain, Canada and Cape Colony to visit Australia at the expense of the Commonwealth. The opinion was expressed that this was one of the bast ways to advertise Australia. It was also resolved to ask the railway administration to grant a press rale similar to that in New Zealand. The next convention will meet at Melbourne next yeai\