AUSIRALIA

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 12851, 9 July 1907, Page 7

AUSIRALIA

United Press Association—By Electrio telegraph—Copyright. THE MAIL CONTRACT. MELBOURNE, July 8. Tenders for the new mail contract close on October 3rd, on terms previously cabled. MRDEAKIN. Mr Deakin is unwell. Rather disquieting symptoms manifested themselves on Friday. COMMONWEALTH HIGH COMMISSIONER? Thero 13 little doubt in Federal circles that Sir John Forrest will be appointed High Commissioner within a week or two. AN OVERDUE STEAMER. HOBART, July 8. Some anxiety is felt for th© safety of th© 6teamer Mahinapua, which is five days overdue on tho voyage from Hobart to Striichan. Sho may bo sheltering on the coast where no telegraphic communication exists.

A BRUTAL MURDER

(Received July Bth, 6.19 p.m.)

SYDNEY, July 8

An old woman named Macnamara, who lived alone at Enmore, was found dead in bed. A strip of calico was round her neck, and her head was battered in. Robbery was evidently tho motive. The house was ransacked, but tho robber overlooked £30 in a box.

CHARGES BY AN ASYLUM VISITOR. (Received July 9th, 1.5 a.m.) MELBOURNE, July 8. Dr. Springtborpe, ono of tbe official visitors to tho Metropolitan Lunatic asylums, makes some serious allegations in regard to overcrowding and want of proper car© and treatment of patients. Ho found thirty poor, feeble patients at Yarra Bend without fire, although the temperature was down to 48 degrees, becauso fireplaces were not safe to use. THE PLAGUE. BRISBANE, July 8. A fatal case of plague has occurred. Th© victim was employed in a grocer's shop.