AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5630, 2 December 1879, Page 6

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[PEIt S.S ' HPRO.' NEW SOUTH WALKS. Sydney, November 25. Thr Bank of New .South Walea is preceding to extremities against all the farmers whose signatures were, fraudulently obtained to promissory notes, subsequently filled for considerable amounts, by Dale, ex-Mayor of Orange. A defence fuud has been instituted, and a circular addressed to shareholders asking consideration. Tnrley, the young man who attempted to mur.lcr his sweetheart by throat cutting, I:»s bc«'u sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment Captain Hutchinon, secretary of the Australian Club, for tmbtzzlement, has been sentenced to three years' imprisonment. The Judge stated that he had ascertained that his army career had not been creditable. At the departure of the German corvette Albatross, cheers were interchange-! with the British warships, but she passed the French warship Rhin closely without the slightest interchange of salutes or civilities. The Khin's gig having beaten the boata from the Danae and the German corvette at the Balmain regatta, the Wolverene, on arrival, challenged her, and resulted in a victory to the Wolverene'u cutter, [.ulling ten oars against the Khin'e fourteen oara. Thu I'uglish boat was much the better of the two. Another slight accident has occurred on tho Southern Railway. The mail train ran into the trucks at Liverpool. There was a severe shock, and the passengers were bruised. I On Tuesday night Mr. Frank Koynolds, of Tocrd, a well-known cattle-breeder, took 3 dose of poison in mistake, and bad a narrow escape of his lift-. When he found his error he took an emetic, and is uow out of all danger. An impudent theft was committed in open court at Darlinghurat. A detective, unoaeking goods to be exhibited in a case then pending, turned his back fora moment, wlien'some oncstole a couple of meerschaums. Despite the refusal of county cricketers to play any Australian team, the idea is not abandoned, as supposed. The ttvo Bannermaiis, Evans, Spoffurth, Massie, Murdoch, Blackham, Alexander, McDonnell, Palmer, and Boyle are chosen, subject to their ability to go. The charts of shooting with intent to murder and robbery under arms against Moonlight and his mates has been proceeding during tho week at the Gundagai Police Court. They were fully commit,, ed. During the case, Moonlight alone conducted the case for the defence, displaying the utmost composure and audacity. 1 'etective Brown, of the Victorian police, identified the two deceased as Lyona, alia* Nesbit, and Augustus Wrenieke, the sons of a hotelkeeper, of Swanston-atreet, Melbourne. The others are Scott, alias Moonlight, Graham Bennett, nged 20, a seaman recently from England, a convicted thief; James Kogan, aged 23, a native of Hay, antecedents blank ; Thomas Williams, aged IP, a native of the colony, ditto. Dnring his examination the mention of Kesbit's death always affected Moonlight either to emotion or fury. He had frequent altercations with the magistrate. He spoke appreciatively of the pluck of several of tha police who testified, but charged Constable Hedley with running at the first encounter. Hedley retorted that M< onlight was frightened and crying when ha surrendered. Hogan's leaded revolver was produced in court, and Moonlight asked, "Are you sure that's loa led 1 Will you let me examine it ?" Superintendent Singleton hastily replied, " >*o, thank you, no ; you are too good a shot"—a reply that caused a roar of laughter. It is stated that Moonlight, after his capture, wept bitterly over the body of Kcsbit, and kissed the face. He frequently refers to him in terms of strong affection and admiration for his courage and fidelity. The whole line of defence is directed to clear bis mates and fix the blame on himself and Ke3bit. At the inquest on Constable Bowen Moonlight's manner was quite changed. He was subdued and uneasy. He said he knew who shot Bowen, but was no informer. He seems as if he now realises his position, and wishes to clear himself. VICTORIA. Melbour>"K, November 24. At a caucus of Ministerialist, on .November 19, the majority were unfavourable to proceeding to extremities re Gaunsen and Bent. In the event of taking action they wiil be debarred from speaking for a period, but will be permitted to vote. It w»9 decided also to support Mr. Berry against the pretensions of the A ge. The swindler who obtained a quantity of jewellery and goods from tradesmen, under the narne of Dr. Bonnefin, is identical with Creed, recently convicted of coining. A quantity of the stolen jewellery has been recovered. The defalcations of Mander, late manager of the National Bank at Penshurat, are stated to be £4700. A valnable reef has been discovered at Pleasant Creek at a depth of 1120 feet. A man named Undines has given information of having been garroted and robbed in Little Burke-street. The Rev. James Greig, Presbyterian minister, was rushed by a cow at the intersection of Collin3 and Swanston streets, and so severely bruised that he was taken to the hospital. Further defalcations have been discovered in Evilles's accounts. A cheque for £50 for petty expenses, waa altered to £255. The auditors have completed their examinations, and find a> deficiency amoanting to close on £2000. The Hon. X Woods offers, if the Assembly will give him £30,000, to bring coal from Kilcunda and Cape Patterson at the rate of 50,000 tonji per annum, at Sydney prices. In the case of Young and il'Guigan v. Ballarat V/ater Commission, the verdict for the plaintiffs has been reduced from £27,000 So £3000. At the annual meeting of the Reform League held to night, Mr. Longmore was reelected president. A reeolution was passed condemnatory of Mr. Munro's candidature for Carlton. In the case of the Daily Telegraph vs Berry, for slander, only formal evidence war called for plaintiffs, and none whatever fodefendant. Mr. Berry's statement cousti tuting slander was proved. Judge Barry summed np strongly in favour of the plaintiffs, saying the all-gation against them was most serious. Verdict for plaintiffs for £25. It is not improbable that the Argun and Evening Herald will also bring actions against Mr. Berry fer similar slanders. The three directors of tho Provincial and Suburban Bank appeared on summons before Judge Molesworth to ehow cause why tbey should not pay over £7087 to the official liquidators. The muney bad been paid by defendants into another bank in their own names. The Judge ordered them to pay over th« money to the liquidators, as it ■was a preferential paymeat to a creditor by the direotore, and must be refunded to tho bauk. William Oaunson will likely bo requiuitioned to stand for Carlton. At the annual meeting of the Reform League to-night, Mr. Berry, Sir Bryan O'Lughlen, Major Smith, and Mr. Longmore were present. Mr. Berry spoke at same length on the opinions expressed by English

jmirnali", which he said only echoed the Argus ; but all the leading articles whatever would not influence the elections. He said that hitherto reform had failed through leaders deserting their parties ; but if it failed now, it would be through his pirty deserting him.

QUEENSLAND.

Bkisbank, November 24. Sergeant Sankey, of A Company of Volunteers, has been reduced to the ranks, being charged with disrespectful conduct towards Brigade-Adjutant McCallum. The Cabinet has decided to recommend the Governor not to accede to the petition which was signed by the under-secretaries and heads of departments, asking that tho Government offices be closed at 4 instfad of 5 o'clock in tho afternoon. The Government have decided to abolish distinctive duty and postage stamps, and, after the Ist of January only one descrtp tion of stamps will be issued for both purposes. It is considered that the Posts! Department will be able to estimate the quantity used of postage stamps near enough for statistical purposes. The tender of Messrs. Tooth and Co., of Maryborough, has been accepted for the supply of rolling-stock for tha Maryborough and Gympie railway. Captain Brockwoldt, of the barque Amoy, when going on board his vessel late on Monday night, misaed his footing on the gangway, fell against the side of the vessel, and was drowned. SOUTH AUSTRALIA. Adelaide, November 24. The Primary Judge decided to-day that the retiring a'iowance of civil servants, under the Civil Service Act, could be claimed by creditors in payment of debts after the decease of an officer. A Trust and Agency Company, upon the model of the trust companies in South Africa, has been formed, with influential directors, and Mr. Abrahams as manager. It is not intended at present to apply to Parliament for an Act. In reference to mail service, the Hon. T. King, Minister of Education, on behalf of South Australia, has arranged that the £2500 shall be raised ; and that the traffic for tho next eighteen months shall be taken as a basis for an adjustment. He is also negotiating for a reduction of Press tolegraph rates to 3s per hundred words for through rates between all Australian colonies. Victoria has since waived demand for £2309. The Supreme Court, on appeal, uphold tho power of the Corporation to prosecute for Sunday trading, the Pulico Magistrate having held that the bylaw was ultra vir&t.