AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Evening Post, Volume LXIV, Issue 149, 20 December 1902, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

THE IMPORTED FELT-HATTERS. DEPUTATION" TO~THE FEDERAL ! PREMIER. [press association.l (Received December 20, 9 a.m.) ~" MELBOURNE, 19th December A deputation from the Felt-hatters' Association waited on the Federal Premier to protest against the landing of the Oruba'e contingent of hatters. Sir Edmund Barton caid he would deal with the matter when the ship reached its destination. LABOUR RECRUITING AT THE - ■ ISLANDS. ' ' (Received December 20, 9 a.m.) BRISBANE, This -ay. At the enquiry irto the dispute between the Governmeit Agent and Captain Malcolm, "of tfco recruiting vessel Sydney - Belle, the captain was found guilty of assaulting Ihe agent, who had therefore no alternative but to order the vejsel back to Queensland. [The vessel Sydney Bello recently arrived back at Bundaber*, Queensland, from the islands, and it was stated that recruiting had been stopped by the Government 'Aeent, Mr. A. Forsrlh, for alleged breaches of the regulations. Mr. Forsyth came to Brisbane and laid the matter beforo tho head of his Department, and an enquiry .was forthwith ordered by the Premier. It was alleged that when attention was called to soma minor breaches of tho regulations an assault was made on the agent. The trouble was enquired into by the Deputy Commissioner at the islands, who accompanied the vessel for the remainder of the cruise, duriDg which the returned Islanders were landed.] A CHARGE OF CORRUPTION. (Received December 20, 10.20 a.m.) MELBOURNE, This Day. A "acene" occurred last night in the Assembly, Mr. G. M. Prendergast, member for North Melbourne, charging tho Government with corruption in connection with alterations permitted in a certain tender for a public work. Mr. Pren'dergasJ's motion to appoint a Committee of Enquiry whs negatived by 38 to 16. DAMAGE BY THE HEAVY RAINS. (Received December 20, 10.20 a.m.) MELBOURNE, This Day. Much damage has beiki caused in tho countty by the heavy rain, and a num-' ber of cattle have bt*n killed by lightning. The outlaying parts of Ballarat were flooded to a depth of 3ft. CLOSE OF THE N.S.W. SESSION. , SYDNEY, This Day. (Received December 20, 10.20 a.m.) The session of the State Parliament has concluded.