AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hastings Standard, Issue 339, 4 June 1897, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

GENERAL ITEMS. I Per Press Associatim. —Copyri'jht >. Sydney, June 3. Johnson has been sentenced to six months' imprisonment, the Judge acting on the strong recommendation of mercy on the ground that the prisoner received great provocation from Larsen. Butler's trial has been fixed for .June 11th. A special panel of 60 jurymen has been summoned. A small scientific expedition, under the leadership of Professor David, of Sydney University, has left for Euna Fati Island, in the Pacific, to continue the work of the expedition sent out last year by the Royal Society of London, under Professor Soilaß, to ascertain the formation of coral atolls. The previous expedition failed, chiefly owing to the inefficiency of the boring apparatus. The cost of tbe expedition will be mainly borne by private subscription, the London society giving £2OO. The New South Wales Government has supplied powerful boring plant and the scientist's services free. This day. The report of the Royal Commission appointed to enquire into the extension of the railway through the city has been tabled. It favors the extension for the conveyance of passengers, but not for goods traffic. Adelaide, June 3. Sir John Downer has been elected leader of the Opposition. Brisbane, June 3. The report of the Commission appointed to inquire into the land laws expresses general satisfaction at their present working but recommends a number of changes in the direction of extending leases, easing the condition of tenure, and induciug wider and more permanent settlement. It proposes the establishment of a branch in London to disseminate information to intending settlers.