AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 9290, 16 December 1895, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Press Association—Dy Telegraph—Copyright. INTENSE HEAT. Sydney, December 15. The hot snap last week was the forerunner of a spell of typical Australian summer weather, intense heat which has since alternated with frcquentheavy thunder showers. Though during this week the thermometer was content with a shade register among the eighties, the humidity of the atmosphere rendered the heat distressingly oppressive. Tho rainfall was more general aud copious than auy since the inception of the drought, but was still far from sufficient. Some severe thunderstorms were experienced in country districts and considerable damages resulted from flooding and high winds. FOUNDERING OF A KETCH. In a squall oft the coast of Sydney, the ketch Ruby foundered. The crow managed to escape in a boat. A SUICIDAL WAVE. That there is a oonnectioa between oppressive heat and selc-destruction seems borne out by the records of the last few days of the week, which were remarkable for a suicidal wave. No less than seven cases were reported in the city and suburbs, while the eighth failed to effect* his purpose by the narrowest margin, tho solution of match-heads he drank not having time to prove fatal before he was found. All eight were men.

FEDERAL QUARANTINE. Much has been said and written about the utility of Federal quarantine, but if such an idea is to be a success, better supervision is necessary than now exists. At Albany during the past few weeks two vessels were found with smallpox aboard after passing the heal-h authorities. IDENTIFICATION OF PRISONERS. The King George's Sound cable message announcing that the colony has purchased the Galton-Bertillon apparatus for the identification of criminals is not quite accurate. Sir Saul Samuel, at the instigation of the Government, has been making enquiries into the two systems. The former method consists of taking finger prints, while Bertillon's system is that of measurement. Since 1888 the question of a better means for the identification of criminals has engaged the attention of the authorities, and this is testified to by a sheaf of correspondence laid before Parliament, during the week. It is suggested in the correspondence that the opinions of the different colonies should be obtained, and in accordance with the recommendations letters were sent to the intercolonial authorities enclosing particulars respecting the system, and asking their opinion. Replies have been received from 'most of the colonies. New Zealand thinks the system in vogue has Iproved ample fot the requirements of the colony, where there are so few criminals, but that the time had arrived when Bertillon's system might be adopted in the Australian colonies with great advantage, and a suggestion is made by Nev*" Zealand that a conference of prison authorities should be held on the subject. The Queensland Government says it is prepared to join New South Wales in the adoption of the system oh the lines indicated. Victoria submitted a report to the effect that the Government had not considered it necessary at present to adopt Bertillon's system, but was favourable -to the proposal to hold a conference between the police and penal establish* lishments, for the purpose of considering the whole system. The opinion of the Tasmanian Government is that any alteration of the system in force in that colony is unnecessary, in consequence of its insular position and the small opportunities it affords foe the operation of criminals of the worst kind. South Australia considers the present system sufficient for present purposes. , NEW WOMAN ADVANCES. A young lady, aged twenty-one, if? under arrest for marrying a young man who is under age without obtain* ing his father's consent. "A matrimonial agency did not approve of the would-be bridegroom's boyishness and declined to tie the knot. Nothing daunted, the pair obtained the services of a clergyman, who married them. The lady is alleged to have put the boy, who is seventeen, up to saving he was of age. CYCLIST UNION. The Cyclist Union has selected Kerß to represent New South Wales in the forthcoming Christchurch Championship Meeting. He left by the Wakatipu on Friday. " SUMMAT FOR THE LITTLE FELLOW." The winner of the big prize, £6750, in 1 Tattersall's consultation on the Queensland Cup is a Newcastle district coal miner. The case is surrounded with romantic circumstances. The man has a cripple son and had scraped together a pound with the intention of consulting a specialist regarding the lad. He tried to induce several of his mates to join him in securing a ticket in the sweep, but all excused themselves. He then suggested to his wife that as a last chance they should venture the pound put aside for the boy. The wife said—"Send for a ticket, mayhap God will send us summat for the little fellow." He laid the owner two thousand to nothing, and the jockey five hundred to twenty. THE DEAN CONSPIRACY CASE* The Dean case approaches its conclusion. Smith, the chemist, in his evidence, said he apprehended- difficulties after Meagher's statement regarding Sir Julian Salomons, and therefore made .a statement to Mr Want. Although he knew that the pardon of Dean cast a stigma on Mrs Dean and her mother, he promised he would aot

say he gave Dean poison unless put upon his oath. Amongst the witnesses yesterday were Sir Geo. Dibbs and Mr Brunker, the Colonial Secretary, who gave evidence in favour of Crick's character. Counsel address the jury on Monday. A VISITOR. Mr Fehon, the Railway Commissioner, sailed in the Wakatipu, on a visit to New Zealand. MR GILLON. Mr E. T. Gillon is making a satisfactory recovery from the recent operation and will be convalescent by Christmas. PUBLIC SERVICE BILL. The Government has succeeded in getting another reform measure passed, the Council returning the Public Service Bill to the House. The measure when initiated made 1> flutter in the Civil Service dovecotes. It now remains to be seen what sort of success Commissionerremoved from political influence will make of the Service. Much depends on the men chosen. Our success in railway management by Commissioners commends the idea, but then we are peculiarly fortunate in the man occupying the Chief Commissionerf*hip. The Civil Service Commissioners receive a thousand per annum. The Board has the final fixing of the salaries and allowances of officers. The Council amended the measure by making members of the University Senate, Crown Prosecutors and officers of Parliament exempt from the operation of the Act. The only other amendment of consequence was the extension of the Commissioners' engagement from seven to ten years. PRIVILEGES OF PARLIAMENT. The Dean case afforded the members of the Assembly a chance to fly to arms against what seemed a breach of privilege. A definition of these perquisites of legislators is hard to settle. The members cannot be summoned within the precincts of the House, and should they deem it their duty to attack outaiders, their utterances are deemed harmless. The particular infringement on this occasion was the decision to allow members' speeches to be put in evidence in the Dean case. Members produced yards of precedents to show how these privileges were obtained during centuries past, and protested against their being endangered by the present action. One legal light laid it down that a member could not be held responsible tor his utterances in Parliament, but it was quite possible that such speeches might be used in evidence against a third party. He then almost brutally reminded sensitive members that the case was sub judice. Nobody in the House was so competent as the Judge to decide what was evidence and what was not. PATRIOTISM. The sweets of office were never more admirably instanced than by the anxiety of members to serve their country by accepting positions on the Public Works Committee, where the fees are fat and regular, and the duties are not arduous. In the debate which followed, the Minister of Public Works, in submitting the names gave Mr McElhone a chance for a hostile criticism of the Committee generally, with special attention, in his well-known style, to Mr Black, a Committeeman to be. The Speaker cut this personal diatribe Bhort by calling Mr McElhone to order. The ballot resulted in the two Government nominees being replaced by others.

THE WEATHER. Melbourne, December 15. During the early part of the week the weather throughout the colony was extremely hot, shade temperature 100 to 106 being reported. In several places it culminated in a severe thunderstorm, which was followed by good general rain.

GENERAL BOOTH. In according him a welcome at Horsham, several local landowners offered General Booth 250 acres of good freehold land in the district, on condition that three-quarters should be intensely cultivated, that fodder or industrial products which give a return within twelve months should be grown thereon, and that the best skill and machinery available should be used. The General has three months to consider the offer.

AN OUTSPOKEN MAGISTRATE

Mr Panton, the Magistrate, who is a member of the Licensing Bench, gave vent to views which will not make him a favourite with prohibitionists. Judge Molesworth differed from two Police Magistrates on an application for a colonial wine license. He was against granting it because it was opposed by the teetotal party. The Magistrates overruled him and granted the license, Mr Panton stating that the people who never tasted a glass of wine in their lives did not know what •were talking about. They set themselves to prevent the issue of any more colonial wine licenses, which was absurd, and as impossible of accomplishment as to prevent the growth of wool or wheat. He regarded the Court as an agency for the encouraging of wine drinking, and to see that licenses were granted to proper persons. The teetotallers would ruin a valuable industry, which, in his opinion, would put the colony out of its present condition.

A DEFICIT.

The decrease of £80,000 in the railway revenue, compared with last year's, covers a portion only of the actual deficit of the year. The total revenue is estimated at •£2,250,000, compared with £2,580,000 last year. The interest charges on the capital value of the railways amount to £1,418,000, and the net profits from working the lines to £1,010,000, so that the total deficit for the year will be £408,000 compared with £380,000 last year, and that in spite of the great economies enforced. The loss of the season's grain traffic, owing to the failure of the harvest, must be held mainly responsible for the large decrease.

WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE BILL.

The hitherto almost unoccupied galleries in the Legislative Council presented an unwonted appearance in anticipation of the Women's Suffrage Bill diaouflaion. Ladies of (sextain

and uncertain age crowded the gallery, and quite a number of daintily beribboned petitions were presented, the predominating ribbon being white satin, suggestive of the untimely end those young petitions are likely to receive at the hands of the grave and reverend seigniors. Sir James McCulloch's speech, in moving the second reading, was dubious in tone, and betrayed an enthusiasm he did not feel In solemn j silence the motion was about to be j put, when the death agony was pro- I longed by Mr Melville rushing to the rescue and taunting the Government with lukewarmness, telling them if they were not prepared to advance arguments for the Bill in proper style they ; should have left it alone. As Mr Mcl- j ville felt it incumbent on him to supply j Ministers' deficiencies in this respect, j he secured an adjournment of the j debate. Subsequently the Bill, grant- j ing the franchise and abolishing j plural voting, was thrown out by I 19 to 17. j CHAFFEY BROTHERS. The downfall of Chaffey Bros, is due, according to the statement of the Chairman of a recent meeting of shareholders, to the cessation of land sales in consequence of the agitation as to water supply, which turned vast sums of money from the enterprise, and to the banking crisis, which prevented the completion of the financial arrangements in London. The one thing now needed to ensure success was the prompt action of the settlers to complete the delayed work upon the channels, thus giving a cheap and full supply of water. This work could be immediately carried out. Pending a settlement, it i 3 the intention of the five Banks concerned to carry it on. This arrangement will probably see the fruit crop gathered. LAND REFORM. Adelaide, December 15. The Reform Bill has successfully reached port after a stormy passage through the Assembly and opposition from outside. The legal members of the House fought hard against the attempt to break down the monopoly so long enjoyed, and tooth and nail opposed reform at every turn, their opposition being so pronounced that, with one or two exceptions, they shook off the dust from their feet and left the Chamber when the final division was taken. The Bill passed in a very thin House. The Premier, in explaining the measure, said its object, as far as possible, was to make law synonymous with justice, and to make it more simple and less costly. It attacked monopoly to the avenues of the Law Courts by removing many barriers to entering the legal profession. The Bill also, as plainly as possible, proposed to apply the local Court procedure to the Supreme Court practice. Amongst other concessions, it allowed women to be admitted to practise as solicitors.