AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7828, 23 December 1886, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

~ Treuter's TELEGRAMS.] ~/" ;", NEW SOUTH WALES PARLIAMENT., Sydney, December 22., The meeting of Parliament has: been fixed for January 25. i-;;:<n • [■>: •■> The portfolio of Mines, recently resigned by Mr. Fletcher, has not yet been filled. / '■"'■ • THE GOVERNMENT OP NEW GUINEA, Melbourne, December 22. ' A general agreement has been arrived at between New South Wales, Queensland, and Victoria, regarding the administration of New Guinea. The Premier of Queensland telegraphed to the Secretary of State, maintaining that the colonial contribution of £5000 annually was sufficient. Brisbane, December 22. • Sir Anthony Musgrave, the Governor, sent the following cablegram to Mr. Stanhope this afternoon:—"Colonial Governments are satisfied that £15,000 per annum will amply suffice for many years for opening up country and maintaining order in New Guinea. No further charges will be required from the Imperial Government. Everything after inauguration will be defrayed by the colonies or New Guinea itself. Australian Parliaments will not guarantee their contributions for any fixed period whilst uninformed as to the manner in which the money shall be expended. The condition of affairs in New Guinea is extremely un> satisfactory at present. No provision has been made for the punishment of offences in that island. A permanent covenant by colonial Governments will be a sufficient basis for the settlement of the question." THE MELBOURNE TELEPHONF COMPANY. Melbourne, December 22. Negotiations are resumed, with the view to purchase the Telephone Company's business by the Government. v THE OUTBREAK OF SMALLPOX. Melbourne, December 22. The German-Lloyd steamer Preussen, which had smallpox on board, arrived here this evening with 257 passengers for Melbourne. These have been placed in quarantine. THE COLONIAL CONFERENCE. Brisbane, December 22.: It is announced that Sir S. Griffiths and Sir F. J. Garrick will be the Queensland representatives at the forthcoming conference on colonial affairs, which is to be held in London. l

THE AH AN A. Melbourne, December 22. ; The Union Company's Rotomahana sailed this afternoon for the Bluff.