AUSTRALIAN.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 9005, 18 January 1895, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN.

Press Association.—By Telegraph—Copyright PUBLIC WORKS EXPENDITURE. Sydney, January 17. The Minister for Public Works states that between £300,000 and £400,000 will be spent on the roads in the. colony within the next three months. THE AGENT GENERAL'S OFFICE. Speaking at an up-country agricultural show, the Premier said the Agent-General's office in London must be made more useful to the people. There must be a marked change in the sphere of the Agent-General's operations, which should be less diplomatic and display more commercial activity. IRRIGATION FARMS. The Government is sending an ex pert irrigationist to Bourke to plot out 400 acres in the vicinity of an artesian bore in 20 acre farms. The Government will also establish an experimental farm to illustrate the best methods of irrigation. THE VICTORIAN PARLIAMENT. Mblbodbne, January 17. The Premier hopes to prorogue Parliament. at the end of the week to enable him to attend the Conference of Premiers and the meeting of the Federal Council. VICTORIAN STOCKS. The \ Argus considers.that the London Stock Exchange is supersensitive in lowering Victorian stocks a point because the perennial rumour-monger is speaking disrespectfully of the Australian banka. Although the latter are factors of the first importance, yet the national credit does not depend on their position in regard to the colonial credit. The national and not party feeling is gradually but surely predominating, and the severest critic must admit that the position is improving. OBITUARY. -■; • The death is announced of Mr Joseph Clarke, a squatter, brother of Sir Wm. Clarke, in his sixty-firat year. LORD KINTORE'S SEND OFF. Adelaide:, Januaryl7. Lord Kintore, who left yesterday for London, received a most cordial send off. NATIVE MURDERERS SENTENCED. Thursday Island, January 17. A number of natives belonging to BritishNewGuineahave been sentenced to terms of imprisonment ranging up to ten years, for murdering sixteen natives who took refuge near Fly River during a gale.