AUSTRALIA.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXXI, Issue 10236, 3 January 1894, Page 5

AUSTRALIA.

TEE AGBNT-GSNERAL’S OFFICE, MELBOURNE, Jan. 2.

For some unknown reason the Cabinet Baa deemed it expedient to reverse its previous decision to dispense with the services of Dr Pearson as secretary to tbe Agent-General in London. Some mention was made of functions of a commercial character, which it was previously suggested should be invested in the Agent-General’s Department, but the Premier, after mature reflection, said it would be ridiculous to degrade the office of cither Agent-General or secretary by reducing it to the level of that of a butterman. SPEIGHT v. THE AGE. In the Speigbt-Ajc libel action the jury returned a verdict on one count out of eleven, and declared that they were unable to answer the other counts. They gave a verdict for the plaintiff on the eighth count, which refers to the Ajo comments alleging gross extravagance, and assessed tha damages at £IOO. The question of costs was reserved. The solicitor for the plaintiff when interviewed said Mr Speight regarded the verdict as merely .2100 on account, as it was intended to take fresh action on tbe other alleged libels. STEAMER ABANDONED. ADELAIDE, Jan. 2. The steamer Tenterden has been finally abandoned, and will be sold as she lies on the reef. THE COSTA RICA PACKET CASE. SYDNEY, Jan. 2. The Premier of New Zealand hao written to the New South Wales Government, promising co-operation in the endeavour to obtain redress for the seizure of the Sydney vessel Costa Eica Packet, by tho Dutch iu Java waters.