AUSTRALIA.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 11108, 29 October 1901, Page 5

AUSTRALIA.

United Pras Aewciation—Bj Elejtarie Telegraph—CopyJight. AMENDING AN OLD AGE PENNONS * BILL. , (Received October 28th, 9.30 a.m.) SYDNEY, October 28. The Government proposes to amend the Old Age Pensions Bill, making sons in a> position to do co maintain their pareatp. There arc now many glaring instances of neglect of this duty. THE TREATMENT OF CONSUMPTIVES. The Government has established a temporary hospital for the treatment of conMimpMves at Long Bay. A permanent building will be erected later. MADAME MELBA TO VISIT AUSTRALIA. MELBOURNE, October 28. Madame Melba visits Australia in September next, and gives five concerts in the principal cities. [Mr J. C. Williamson told an Australian interviewer a few weeks ago, that it" was quite possible that arrangement* would be made for Madame Melba'e appearance in Australia nest year. "Before I left Engla&d,"' he said, "I entered into negotiations with Madame Melba with the view of inducing her to visit Australia, and when I left I instructed my agent 1 to continue them. The terms asked by Madame Melba were a little more than I thought the country could afford, for she* asked £500 per performance for iherself alone, and in addition to this there would be the salaries of a company, to include prominent artists from Oovent Garden* «od the return fares from Europe, whkfi"woald make the coat run up to between £800 and £900 a night, and considerably more than that if. as Melba, wished, there should be a certain number of appearance* in grand opera. lam recognised as a pretty bold speculator, but I regarded these terms as prohibitive. However, I have now received a cablegram stating that fresh negotiations have been opened up." Today's cablegram presumably gives the outcome of the renewed negotiations.] WHOLESALE GAOL-BREAKING. PERTH, October 28. Fifty-two natives, who were serving sentences for cattle-killing, escaped from Wyndham gaol. Natives outside pupplied the means of breaking gaol. Three I of, the escapees have been recaptured. AN APPEAL DIB3OSSED. (Received October 28th, 10.11 y.m.) SYDNEY, October 28. The Court o£ Review dismissed the Union Company's appiJ. against the taxation assessment of its wharf and property in Darling harbour. The ground oC appeal wae that the property having been resumed by tie Crowe wee not liable to taxation.

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