With "the Alpine tests for reliability just concluded, and the Motor Show for the trade due at the end of next month, the motor trade and their fuels are receiving more that usual attention. A. of great importance to Aus-which comes under the provision is oils. Some satisfactory preliminary canters' in the way of surveys have been made by experts both in West Australia and Queensland, as well as in New South Wales. Such satisfactory reports were given that the Government is preparing to expend some finance in encouraging the prospecting companies. In result of recent developments in the petrol markets, a Bill to approve a revised agreement between the Commonwealth, Government and the Anglo-Persian Oil Company, as dated March 21, 1926, was introduced by the Prime Minister Mr. Bruce in the House of Representatives on March,25. Provision is made in the Bill for the payment of the Commonwealth's:
re of the company's increased Capital from £750,000 to £850,000. The Government will retain a ma-
Jorkey of the shares in the company, Mr. Bruce indicated in move the second reading of the Bill said the new agreement provided for an additional £100,000. The, agreement made by Mr. Hughes in 1920 was made when the capital was £500,000 of wi the Commonwealth Government subseribed £250,000. The object in view was to have established Australia refineries capable of dealing with indigenous oil if it wore found. Menwhile the Anglo Persian Company undertook to provide crude oil for treatment, at the same time ensuring that Australia could go straight ahead with development should the prospective supplies be forthcoming.
There have been certain trading losses on the proposition, but nevertheless the insurance policy on which it was supported has been achieved, and the Government well satisfied with its deal. C.O.R. or The Commonwealth Oil Refining Company is gaining ground and is paving the way for a good means of distribution, for the time when the experts prediction of Australia's oil field may come to fruition.
"The Patter of the Rain" the patter of the rain" have the hearts of all Australians been, rejoiced. 'The fears of drought are over, the ploughman ploughs his field' and gayly cracks his whip, while the stockman beamingly turns the heads of his flock towards the homestead, and trade as already brightened up, in, the Sydney is holding its Royal Suce acting Yon Eestst, ooweeny and is one of the most jubilant of all that the rains have come in time to save their important grazing and industrial event from being a failure. Stock may not show to as great an advantage as in the best of years, but it will be a case of, "When things they sometimes mend" as our friend Byron was wont to say. The Prime Minister, Mr. Bruce has left Melbourne to attend the industrial festival in Sydney, and give some extra inducement to the none too apathetic populace. Horticultural and agricultural shows always are well patronized in Australia even exhibits the Sydney and Melbourne Societies Annual fixtures. There should even some good exhibits from the sheep and cattle districts, Western Queensland has received good rains just as stud stock were endangered of being affected by drought conditions.
Other districts right throughout the Commonwealth have also had general rains. From the across many portions of South Australia, the Riverina and Western New South Wales and practically the whole of Victoria. New South Wales has bad experiences of flood conditions, and in Sydney the ferry service was discontinued for some time owing to rough weather. While on the coast vessels had to put in to the first shelter offering, thus delaying the shipping time tables of the New South Wales Capital. Conditions have: not been quite so wild in Victoria, but, nevertheless the bush fire refugees-had a fairly wet and an-comfortable time. The officialdom which is inclined to rule the dis tribution of the funds collected, and to which His Majesty King George contributed £100, was not able to disentangle itself from red tape' in time to even commence the. rebuilding of homes before the rains came upon us.
Fortunately for some—reasons, and unfortunately for very many more the rains in the hills were not as heavy as they might have been. It is wonderful how much an act of kindly thought can reach Tight into the hearts of people. Few of the outside countries and British dominions, and certainly' probably not himself, can realize how His Majesty The King's eontribution to the Bush fire funds reached the innermost feelings of all Australians, Had it but been a guinea or so, oF three fold much would have made no di ference to Australia's people, is the kindly interest, the thought and the sympathy which lay at] the root of the action which is, felt to be the factor for deep appreciation.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.