Australian Summary.

Hastings Standard, Issue 433, 23 September 1897, Page 4

Australian Summary.

The case of the Rev. J. W. Dawe v. Hidulesion and wife, in whi:h a Primitive Methodist minister at llobart claimed £IOOO damages for slander, resulted in a verdict for the plaintiff for one farthing. So far over £IOOO has been subscribed to the Lucknow miners' strike fund by the various mining centres throughout Australia. During the two years that the New South "Wales Crown Lands Act has been in force, 3,276,848 acres of residential selections have been taken up, and 20,690 individuals settled on the land. In the Sydney Supreme Court Mrs Agnes Smith obtained a verdict of £SOO damages against the Railway Commissioners for injuries received owing to a collision between a tram and an omnibus. A carrier named Patrick Shields was killed on Toorak station (Q-), owing to a switch stick breaking loose and striking him on the head. In the breach of promise case Harriet Bartlett v. Grantham Giddy, a Sydney jury awarded the plaintiff £IBO damages. Both parties were Sunday school teachers, and defendant wrote to his jilted sweetheart that he had " carefully and prayfully pondered over the question." The agricultural industry in New South Wales is in a flourishing condition, and there is every prospect of a record crop—possible 11,600,000 bushels. The Local Option League of New South Wales petitioned the Federal Convention, praying that a provision be introduced to prevent alcohol and opium being taken into any State against the wishes of the State. Charles Price, solicitor, Melbourne, has filed his schedule. The approximate balance-sheets shows a deficiency of £48,855. It has been decided to form a cash swimming club, under the name of the League of New South Wales Swimmers. At Brisbane the Glaziers' Butchering Company has filed a petition for liquidation, its liabilities being stated at £415,000. Steps are being taken in New South Wales to protect and conserve the cypress pine, a valuable white antresisting timber.