AUSTRALIA.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCIII, Issue 10599, 7 March 1895, Page 5

AUSTRALIA.

SYDNEY SHARE MARKET. [Special to Press Association.) SYDNEY, March 6. Thqro is a decided lull ia the share market, transactions yesterday being less than on any day for a month past. This is due, however, to tha scarcity of shares rather than to unwillingness to operate. Tha market ia regarded as fairly strong, and prices are higher.A PROPOSED BIG LOTTERY. A proposal is on foot amongst those interested for the disposal of the unliquid assets of the land and building societies ia process of reconstruction. It ia contemplated to ask Government to sanction a grand lottery scheme. MILITARY COURT-MARTIAL. At the Military Court-Martial, counsel for the prisoner vainly sought to have portions cf the letter written by Commandant Hutton to the Governor admitted. He regarded the Commandant as a witness hostile to the prisoner, and declined to call him. The inquiry was adjpurned until Friday. LAND AND INCOME TAX. The Land and Income Tax Bill ia engaging the attention of the Legislative Assembly. Mr Wise moved an amendment to tho effect that land purchased from the Government should only be assessed on tho increased value since its purchase. VICTORIAN DEFENCES. MELBOURNE, March 6. The recommendations of the Defence Committee include the abolition of the cadet force. It is expected that a total saving of £32,000 can be made without sEiiously impairing the efficiency of the military and naval forces. THE PROPOSED MONETARY CONFERENCE. ADELAIDE, March 6. The Premier has communicated with the other colonies, suggesting tho direct representation of Australia at tha proposed international monetary conference on bimetallism, and that the Colonial Office be immediately moved to this end. A reply has been received from Mr Turner, Premier of Victoria, stating that the Cabinet has decided to join in asking the Imperial Government to appoint one representative for the whole cf Australia. GRANTS TO DENOMINATIONAL . SCHOOLS. BRISBANE, March 6. The Ministers’ Union has resolved to emphatically protest and exert all its influence against any attempt to euboidise denominational schools, and to endeavour to secure tho cessation of Government grants to institutions not under public management.