AUSTRALIA.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXXII, Issue 10465, 1 October 1894, Page 5

AUSTRALIA.

[Special to Peesb Association.'! j FEDERATION. 4 SYDNEY, Sept. 29. The Premier intends at an early date to open np confidential communication with the colonies which have intimated their willingness to join the Federal movement, his object being to arrive at some basis of action generally acceptable to all. ATTEMPTED BANK ROBBERY. Two men attempted to rob the Australian Joint Stock Bank at Manduram, near Carcoar, but were interrupted and rode away. THE NAVIGATION ACT. Sept. 30. The rejectio'n of the Navigation Act Amendment Bill by the Legislative Council is likely to lead to friction with the Legislative Assembly. POLITICAL. MELBOURNE, Skpt. 29. It ia believed that Ministers will be reelected unopposed. If a poll is found necessary it will be taken on Oct. 9. The Labour Party will meet next week to elect a leader and determine their attitude towards the Government. The members of the party have already marked off their seats on the Ministerial cide. The inclusion of M«?ssis Sargood and Cuthbert, and the exclusion of Mr Trenwith is a sore point with the Labour party. Me?ars Murray, Smith ano Carter, ex-Treasurers, are sitting in an Opposition corner. It is understood that Messrs Shiela and Deakin were offered the pick of the portfolios, but declined, though they promised to support the Government, RAILWAY COMMISSIONERS. The acting Railway Commissioners have been re-appointed for a further period of three months. A DRUNKEN MURDERER. Sept, SO.

A man named Wash, while drunk, quarrelled with his wife and cub her throat, death being instantaneous. Wash, who was arrested, tried to frill a man who attempted to interfere on the woman’s behalf. The accused admitted the crime. EE VENUE. The revenue for .the quarter has decreased by m arly -£IB,OOO as compared with the corresponding quarter of last year. THE MINT. The mint has just achieved a record for the quarter, during which period it bought 266,0000 z of gold for coinage, the amount paid being 048,756. THE RAILWAYS. ADELAIDE, Sept. 29. It is believed that owing to political influence, there is a possibility that the Eailway Commissioners will not be reappointed. The Government announces its intention, at the request of Parliament, to reduce the Board to one commissioner.