AUSTRALIAN.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9304, 3 January 1896, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN.

Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. " NEW AUSTBALIA." Sydney, January 2. Two of the " New Australia " colonists have returned. They report that the settlement is existing, but the work is laborious, and the climate atrocious, and it will take fully three years yet to determine whether the settlement will be a success or a failure. They advise those contemplating forming a settlement to wait until the expiry of that period. THE AUSTRALIAN SQUADRON. Admiral Bridge, with a squadron of eight vessels, leaves this morning to carry out continuous training at sea. The vessels will manoeuvre as if in actual warfare. They will afterwards rendezvous at Norfolk Bay, Tasmania, where two other ships will join them. ATTEMPT TO SCUTTLE A STEAMER, News has been received by the China mail steamer that two members of the crew of the steamer "Whanipoa, who were suspected of being concerned in the recent gold robbery from the vessel, were charged at Shanghai with making an attempt to scuttle the ship. The pipe of the ballast tank had been broken, and the vessel narrowly escaped foundering at sea. They were sentenced to one year's imprisonment and ordered to receive 200 lashes. AGITATION FOR A REPRIEVE. An agitation is on foot to secure a reprieve for Sheridan, who was convicted and sentenced to death in connection with the death of the girl Nicholl. The jurymen themselves petitioned the Governor to commute the sentence. The foreman states that he was opposed to the verdict of murder, but gave way, believing that the death sentence would not be carried out. The execution is fixed for the 7th inst. NEW SOUTH WALES REVENUE. The revenue for the half year shows an increase of £1668 (?) over that for the same period in 1894. The principal increases are : Customs £18,000, and Post Office £18,500. The Railways show a falling off of more than £9000. SMALLPOX. Newcastle, January 2. The barque Beechdale has arrived from Rio, with two cases of smallpox on board.