AUSTRALIAN.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9585, 27 November 1896, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN.

Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright.

PRISONERS RELEASED,

Sydney, November 26. After serving ten years' imprisonment at Mount Bennie, the prisoners Newman, Donnellan, Miller, Keigan and Hill have been released.

COLLECTOR OF CUSTOMS. Mr U, Lockyer, Receiver in the

Treasury Department, succeeds Mr Powell as Collector of Customs.

THE MILDURA SETTLEMENT.

Melbourne, November 26. A company is projected to take over Mildura, with a capital of £100,000 or £150,000, and it is proposed to issue a quarter of a million, of three and ahalf per cent, debentures/ and to ask the Government to guarantee the interest.

LIFE ASSURANCE ENQUIRY BOARD.

The report of the Life Assurance Enquiry" Board recommends an amendment in. the law so ac to prohibit Societies registered under the Friendly Societies Act doing life insurance business, and that life policies, be rendered .secure, from creditors notwithstanding, bankruptcy, subject to a charge in iavour of creditors to the extent of the premiums paid during the three years preceding the insolvency! ' '

MINING RETURNS. Brisbane, November 26.

The Government propose to cable the mining returns to England monthly.

ANOTHER CASE OF SMALL-

POX.

Another case of smallpox has developed on board the Duke of Devonshire. The patient is a Chinese.

THE TRANSCONTINENTAL ... RAILWAY.

Adelaide, November 26.

In the Legislative .Assembly Mr Foster moved that the Government invite tenders for the construction pi the transcontinental railway on the land grant system on -the basis of a ninety-nine years* lease. The labour party opposed the motion and the debate was adjourned.