AUSTRALIAN LETTER.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 109, 11 May 1896, Page 4

AUSTRALIAN LETTER.

(PRESS ASBOCIA-TON.]

[b_ electric .elect aph— copyright.]

Stone., this day. SMOKELESS POWDER.

Now tbab the days of black gunpowder aro numbered, the colonies, and Victoria in particular, have been inquiring tho cost of establishing a cordite factory in the latter colony. The contract with the Melbourne powder factory expires iri 1900, when the Government require to make further arrangement?. An offer comes to band from ihe Normal Powder Syndicate, London, which, if tho Government agree to lake a fair etiar. of ammunition, are prepared to luy down a plant and supply the whole of tho colonies with .uookei.sa powder, which is said to have an advantage over cordite in that it does nob explode, excepb by ignition, and is practically damp proof. RELICS OF THE jNEW ZEALAND WAR. - ', Apropos of war materials, relics of stirring times in the New Zealand war turned up ab Newcastle lasb week in the shape of two cannons which played an important part in bhab strife. These historic guns have been placed in position, and appropriately enough j by the Presidenb of the Bowling Club, Lieutenant-Commander Gardiner. UNITED EMPIRE LEAGUE. Mr J. Lowles, M.P., has finished his tour of Australia, on behalf of the United Empire League and has turned his steps homeward. Whether lie has accomplished thab for which ho came is problemabical. In the colonies business men have long recognised the value of reciprocal trade between the different parts of the Empire, bub nothing less than the termination of international treaties could give effecb to the aspirations of the Empire League, and such a step presents grave difficulties. Mr Lowles practically threw no light on bow these obstacles are to be satisfactorily overcome. We have been treated to figures galore, showing up in a tempting manner what Bri&ieh requirements are worth, and how the colonies would profit it they could get preference over foreign competitors, but, unless Mr Lowles can persuade the British Government to abrogate the treaties, these tempting grapes are likely to romain very secure, for bhe colonies musb be able to maintain supplies before shutting doorß nearer home. PEART'S FATAL DIVE. The fatal effects of Peart's dive were realised by few in the audience. This item was the last on the programme. When the unfortunate man disappeared into the tank bhe audience commenced to leave, under the impression thab there .had been, a'successfal performance. Only a few who were close ab hand were conscious of the brßgedy. No bones were broken, death being caused by.impaction on the vital parts immediately over the solar plexus of the nerves, producing Bhock and death. A JUDGMENT REVERSED. Smith, Ellis, Holman and . Wooldridge, convicted in connection with the " Daily Posb" conspiracy case, have gained their liberty. An appeal ' Was made on the ground that tho Judge only allow the prisoners to. make a statement) or give evidence, bub ruled chat bhey could not do both. The full Court reversed judgment, holding that an accused could both make a statement and give evidence on his own behalf. THOROUGHBRED HORSES FOR ENGLAND. ■ Yet another thoroughbred proceeds to England, Mamma, sister to Malvolio, haling been sold to England for one thousand guineas. The daughter of Malua leaves to-day,-and may probably race in bhe old country before going bo the stud. CYCLING CONFERENCE. A Conference is likely to be held here of all cycling leagues, to take steps to bring about federation, and imparting a uniform character to regulations obtaining in different centres. SANGSTER BOARD OF INQUIRYSENSATIONAL EVIDENCE. Tho Songster Board still holds on its way, finding fault with various steamers. One of the latest to come under observation was the bay steamer Ozone. Thia vessel, which carries a large number of passengers down the bay Way, is alleged to have hull plates so thin thab a, kerosene bin was of quite respectable thickness compared with them ; thab a man engaged on repairs aboard had" simply pushed a chisel through the plates. Counsel alleged that had a sea come aboard, the steamer would havo opened up like a basket. One surveyor stated that tho vessel was constructed in tho flimsiest manner possible. Ib was useless, witness said, to reporb to the Marine Board, because the Board waa constituted of owners, who therefore own interests. The Sangster Board is now engaged taking rebutting evidonce. IMPORTED TELEGRAPHISTS. Perth, this day. Tho Govornmenb contemplate improving the telegrnphic service by importing officers from England. It is said bhe Agont-General will despatch ton by evory mail-steamer till tho service is thoroughly manned. The idoa of bringing men from Home is thab the Morse code in use in England coincides with the Westralian system, and Londoners have therefore loss to loam than operators from other colonies. JUDGE LYNCH. Niagara, near tho Mingusia mining towtißhip, is likely to corao into unsavoury notoriety if better police protection is nob provided. .At times, a mob of roughs bake possession « J bho town, and Judge Lynch tried t assorb himself. A few nights ago, in a melee, n barmaid was struck with a bottle, whereupon infuriated mon captured her assailant, andi pub a rope round his nock, bub the treeless Wesb failed bo provide a suitable placa to fix tbe rope to. The man's life was only saved, through his feigning death. AGRICULTURAL CONFERENCE. Adelaide, this day. Amongst other things, tho Agricultural Conference affirmed tho necessity of assisting producers ovor difficulties caused by bhe delay in getting returns by direct advances by the State on f.o.b. value, or by facilitating bho obtuining of such advance by bho issue of a negotiable certificate; thab tho exports of various colonies in London consult together on bho best system of distribution. A further Conference meets to-day, whon exports will furnish reports.,