AUSTRALIAN NEWS. (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) (PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

North Otago Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 7269, 17 October 1891, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS. (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) (PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Received October 15, at O15.p.m. 1 Sydney, October 1(5. The wreckage discovered some time ago on Malay ti Island, ono of the Solomon Group, is believed to correspond with portions of the barque Kentish Lass, which lofb Kaipara for Sydney in Juno last, year and has never been heard of since. Melbourne, October 16, A woman named Scarsbrook attempted to poison herself and her throe children with strychnine. One child is dead, but the others are likely to recover. The woman is insane. Over 500 school children at Oollingwood are prostratod with influenza. Dv M'Inorney has discovered a remat kable cure for the disease, and in every instance in which ic has been tried ib has proved successful. The cure consists of small doses of 1-lGth to l-20th of a grain of pot-chloride of mercury in distilled wator, given every two hours until the normal condition is regained, when an ordinary tonic restores the patient to health. Indications point to a large harvest. The area under crop is much larger than was the caso last) year, but the quantity of barley sown this year has fallen off owing to the low prices that ruled last season. Received October 16, at 0.20 p m. Sydney, October 16. On the motion for the third reading of the Coal Mines Bill, which legalises tho eight hours limib of labor, Mr M'Millan, formerly treasurer of the present Ministry, moved its committal, opposing legislation for the eight hours system for one class of tho community and nob for another. Sir Henry Parkes disclaimed the responsibility for tho insertion of the clause, which tho Minister for Minos had assented to while he was absenb from tho IIouso through illness. He opposed the iixing of the hours of labor. Legislation on tho subjecb was nob wanted, as tho working man was sufficiently powerful to make good his will in the matter withoub the aid of Parliament. He would retire from oflico rather than assent to the clause. Mr Barton moved the adjournment of tho debate. The Premier asserted that if tho motion were nob carried tho Government would nob proceed with tho Bill. They would nob submit to a refusal to adjourn again, Eventaally tho adjournment was negatived by 49 to 41. Sir H. Parkes said that, in view of his previous statement, ho had no alternative bub to ask the IIouso to adjourn, which was carried amidst considerable excitement Kccoived Octobor 16, at 7.30 p in. Sydney, October 16. Mr Peter Howe, M.P., and Mr James Miller, formerly directors of tho Australian Mercantile Loan and Guarantee Company, who were arrested on the 29th ult. at the instance of tho Crown on a charge of I conspiring to defraud iu connection with the transactions of tho Company, have beoo committed for trial. A man named Evorard, who was accusod of systematic criminal assaults on fomales, which mystified the police for some considerable timo, has been i found guilty, and sentenced to imprisonment for life. A meeting of the Cabinet was hold this afternoon to consider the political situation, and although nothing has been officially announced, it is understood that Sir Henry Parkes has intimated his intention of resigning the Premiership and a ] so his scat ss member for the constituency of j Si. Leonards. Melbourne, October 16. It is understood that LieutenantColonel Sir Fredrick Thomas Sargood, K.C.M.G., will succeed Sir Graham Berry as Victorian AgentGonorftl in London.