AUSTRALIAN NEWS. (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) (PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Received October 21, at 11 50 a.m. Sydney, October 21.

North Otago Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 7273, 22 October 1891, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS. (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) (PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Received October 21, at 11 50 a.m. Sydney, October 21.

Obituary — Signor Majeroni, actor. The Rev. John Fordyce has been elected chairman of the Congregational Union. The Auckland dredge, which is under charter to the Melbourne Harbor Board, passed Gabo Island yesterday, all well. There is great excitement over the PP e gB* n g oufc tllo platinum cluims. The Government refused tho syndicate's application, and threw the ground open. Owing to strong sympathy with the syndicate, willing workers secured tho major portion of the land in pegging out. Arrived— Circe and Brunette, from tho Bluff. Melbourne, October 21, Bailed, yesterday—- Tarawera, for the Bluff. The Postmaster-General has embodied a clause in the Post Office Amendment Bill to prevent letters addressed to sweep promoters fiom passing through the post. During the last fortnight 57 deaths were recorded in this colony from influenza. Adelaide, October 21. Sailed— -Taieri, for Now Zealand. In the House of Assembly the Lands Repurchase Bill has been introduced. This is the first step of the Government policy to break up and prevent the re-accumulation of big estates. It providos for compulsory repurchase, whether the ownrrs are willing or not, while the valuation will not be more than 20 por cont beyond the Land Tax Assessment plus the valu« of improvements.