AUSTRALIAN.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9521, 14 September 1896, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN.

Press AMOcUUon—Bv Teleßi-aph—Capyrig-t. VILLAGES SHELLED. Stone., September 12. The German warship Moewe has arrived from the Islands. She shelled a number of villages in New Ireland as a punishment for the murder of traders. A GRAVE SCANDAL. Melbourne, September 12. The Age states that a grave scandal has been discovered in connection with the Postal Department. Certain stamps were withdrawn from use some time ago, and those remaining in existence rose to a premium in the I estimation of stamp collectors. AI sheet nominally worth £9 was sold , for £40. Afterwards sheets were offered freely at a much lower rate, and an enquiry showed that certain officers of the Postal Department had been trafficking in these stamps. Two were suspended, and an enquiry is now i proceeding. AMENDMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION ACT. A Bill has been drafted by the Ministry to amend the Constitution Act. It abolishes plural voting, legalises- the adult one vote system, gives women the franchise, and abolishes the ratepayers' eleotoral roll. The provisions are confined to elections for the General Assembly. PRESBYTERIAN UNION. The Presbyterian General Assembly has adopted the scheme of union by 57 to 3. PROPOSAL TO CONSTRUCT A RAILWAY. Adelaide, September 12. A representative of the AngloFrench Goldflelds Company of Australasia is making overtures to the Government to grant concessions for the construction of a trans-Continental railway. He offers to construct it with European labour and manufacture all the iron and steel in the colony. The concessions are to take the form of ninety-nine years leases. He states that there are immense formations of ironstone in the interior which will be developed. The Government is lukewarm in the matter, but many members are favourable to the proposals. HEAVY DAMAGES. Hobart, September 12. Captain Strachan obtained the large sum of £2000 damages against the Launceston Daily Telegraph for publishing an article reflecting on his moral character.