THE FEDERAL CONVENTION.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 9941, 21 January 1898, Page 5

THE FEDERAL CONVENTION.

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph— Oopyrijrht. Received January 20th, 9.20 p.m. Melbourne, January 20. The Federal Convention re-assem-bled at Parliament House at noon today, for the purpose of completing the work of drafting the Bill on which the Constitution of the Commonwealth may be based. Extensive preparations had been made for the accommodation of the visiting delegates and the Press representatives, who were present in very large force. The proceedings were marked by very little ceremony. Mr Kingston, of Adelaide, presided. The meeting was merely formal, in consequence of the non-arrival of the Tasmanian delegates (who were detained by the rough sea in Bass Strait), and the West Australian and New South Wales delegates. The Convention adjourned, after sitting a few minutes, until to-morrow forenoon. Mr Glynn, of Adelaide, presented a petition favouring the adoption of the Hare system of voting in Fedenal Parliamentary elections. Correspondence with reference to the representation oi Queensland at the Convention was read. The non-arrival of the New South Wales delegates was caused by a train running down and killing a man on a railway tricycle. Subsequently a piston rod of the engine broke, causing considerable delay. It is understood that the Finance Committee will recommend a three years' term for arriving at the amount of the surplus revenue to be distributed amongst the federated colonies.