AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8871, 4 November 1907, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

SCARCITY OF WHEAT,

ADVANCING PRICES. AUSTRALIAN CHARTERS CANCELLED. SYDNEY, November 2. Owing to thej unpromising harvest prospects ajnumber of freight fixtures have been cancelled. A cargo of wheat loading at Adelaide has been repurchased by a Sydney miller. Some Victorian merchants have under consideration the reimportation of wheat on ships en route for England.

For some time past prices of wheat have been steadily advancing in the Australian markets owing to adverse weather conditions and unpromising crops—except in South Australia, where there is a substantial balance for export. The latest quoted wholesale prices are:—Sydney, 5s 9Jd per bushel; Melbourne, 5s ll£d to 6s; Adelaide, 5s 6d.

THE WRECK OF THE ALFHILD,

FRUITLESS SEARCH FOR CASTAWAYS. HOBART, November 2. The remainder of the party which was sent to search for the survivors from the wreck of the Alfhild has returned, after an exhaustive examination of the scrub for miles round the vicinity of the wreck. A body, supposed to be that of the carpenter of the vessel, was washed up from the wreck, but no trace of the castaways was found. It is considered now that there is no hope of finding the men alive, but the search is continuing. (The Swedish ship Alfhild, bound from Rio de Janeiro to Hobart, in ballast, was wrecked during a storm on the west coast of Tasmania on October 10th last.) SEEKING PASTURES NEW. NEW ZEALAND FARMERS EMIGRATING. BRISBANE, November 2. Three New Zealand settlers, representing others in the Taranaki district, have arrived here, seeking land. WEST AUSTRALIAN POLITICS. A TAXATION BILL. REBUFF TO THE GOVERNMENT. PERTH, November 2. In the State Legislative Assembly the Leader of the Opposition opposed the Land and Income Tax Bill because the exemptions were not high enough to relieve the workers from the burdens of new taxation. A motion to adjourn the debate was carried against the Government by a majority of four. RAINS IN COASTAL DISTRICTS Received November 4, 1.16 a.m. SYDNEY, NovemLer3. Useful rains are falling in the coastal districts. The outlook for a continuance if promising. SHIPPING. Received November 4, 1.16 a.m. NEWCASTLE, November 4. Arrived—Aymeri-;, form New Zealand. I MELBOURNE November 3. Arrived—Brisbane, from Kaipara. Arrived—Moeraki.