AUSTRALIA.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12499, 9 May 1906, Page 7

AUSTRALIA.

United Press Association—By Eleetrio Telegraph—Copyright. WEST AUSTRALIAN POLITICS. PERTH, May 8. Tlio new Ministry lias been sworn in, and is as follows:—Mr Moore, Premier and Minister of Landfc; Mr "Wilson, Treasurer and Minister of Agriculture; Mr Keenian, Attorney-General; Mr Gregory, Minister of Mines and Railways ; Mr Price, Minister of Works; Mr Connelly, Colonial Secretary nnd Leader of tho Legislative Council; Mr Pivsse, Minister, without portfolio. A DISABLED STEAMER, The steamer Madura, bound from Durban to liuubury, put in here. She broke one of the intermediate lengths of her shaft three weeks ago, seventeen hundred miles from Fremantle, and drifted a week while temporary repairs wore being effected. THE RAILWAY COMMISSIONERS 5 DISPUTE. SYDNEY, May 8. The "Daily Telegraph" states, in regard to the Railway Commissioners' difficulty, that it is understood that Mr Oliver will bo asked to resign and thai remuneration will be offered to him. Mr Fehon will probably retire, and Mr Kirkoaldie and another will act as Deputy-Commissioners to the Chief Commissioner who is to be appointed from England. An emending Bill will probably be introduced next eeeeion, giving the Chief Commissioner epecial powers. CHEAPER ELECTRIC LIGHT. The Electric Light Committee of the City Council recommends a reduction in the price of electrkity from twopence to three-halfpence per unit. Business has increased to such an extent that it is considered the reduction can be afforded. THE COLLISION IN SYDNEY HARBOUR. Tho discharging of the steamer Biminyong is proceeding. A portion of the cargo is damaged, and a general average of 7J per centum has been declared on it. The Criffel's stern is badly twisted, and a number of plates on each side are damped. THE PLAGUE. (Received May Bth, 10.17 p.m.) SYDNEY, May 8. The last of the plague patients has been discharged from, hospital. THE TALCA'S EXPERIENCES. Tho Talea's captain, states that the crew refused duty sixteen hundred miles from Tahiti, demanding to be put in there to obtain medical aid. The pilot at Papeete, after learning that tfhere was typhoid aboard', and obtaining a bill of health which showed that smallpox existed at Iquique when the Talca sailed, promised to return with a doctor within an hour. The Talca remained off. the island five Hours, but no assistance was sent, and as darkness w»s coming on. and the Talca was drifting to leeward, the crew consented to come- oil to Sydney. WELfcBACH LIGHT CAfE. The Full Court 'has upheld tho appeal of the WeKbach Light Company against Robert Lascelles, finding the p!auitiffe> patent to be valid. The Court has granted an injunction restraining defendant from infringing the oompan-y'a patent. THE PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY. (Received May 9th. 1.10 a.m.) SYDNEY, May 8. The Rev. J. Kemp Bruce has been ekcttfd Moderator ct the Praslyt-erian General Assembly. AN EX-PJUSONER'S CRIME. William Brooke, just- rcloasixl from gaol ait*?:- a lengthy senteuc, visited ! his wife, who was rolling at a hotel j in Manly, shot h; ; r. and tlion (-'hot him- ; si-U. He war- drawing to fire o;i the '', police when he dropped dead from his \ jjelf-infiictod wound. The woman's condition is critical. j