AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9124, 4 August 1888, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[PRESS ASSOCIATION.] THE MARIPOSA DIFFICULTY. Sydney, August 3. A STRONG card which the Seamen's Union intended to play in connection with the Mariposa difficulty was the refusal to supply the vessel with coal. The Union are now much astonished to find that a cargo has been secured in anticipation of further difficulty. Consignees are advertising for forty men to assist in discharging the steamer. The Maritime Council are appealing to workmen to decline the work. The cargo of coal for the R.M. s.s. Mariposa was purchased on behalf of the American Consulate at Port 111awarra. The company who supplied the coal have informed the Maritime Labour Council that they were unaware who the coal was for. The latter disbelieve the statement, and warn the company that if the cargo is placed on board the Mariposa, the Council will consider the company adverse to the employment of white labour. It is expected that the coal will be put on board despite the Labour Council. THE MURDER AT BLACKTOWN. Sydney, August 3. At the inquest on the body of Morris, murdered at Blacktown, the medical evidence showed that it was impossible for the murderer to have returned to the hut after the injuries he received, without leaving any trace whatever on the ground. Two Chinese visited Hing Loong shortly before the murder. Ho then appeared in delirium, and said Ah Sin told him to "kill the boss." It is believed the object of the murder was plunder, and that Loong being unsuccessful in his endeavours to obtaii money, the others attacked him.

SENTENCED TO DEATH. • Sydney, August 3. The prisoner Hewatt, who committed a terrible outrage in the police cell in June last on another prisoner named Parkes, has been sentenced to death. The jury recommended him to mercy. A NEW ZEALANDER KILLED. Sydney, August 3. In June last a man was accidentally killed at Parramatta„ Up to the present it has been impossible to identify the body, but it is now ascertained that the deceased was Archibald Parr, a native of Otago. A CONSTITUTIONAL DIFFICULTY. Hobart, August 3. A sensation has been caused owing to attention having been called to the fact that the colony is without a judicial head, both His Excellency the Governor and the Chief Justice being absent at the Melbourne Exhibition. It is considered doubtful if the senior Judge can be sworn in as officer administering th Government. DROUGHT IN QUEENSLAND. Brisbane, August 3. Nearly all the mining mills in Queensland are stopped until the wet season comes round. Hundreds of men are thus thrown ous .of employment. MURDER IN QUEENSLAND. — 8 Brisbane, August 3. An aboriginal murdered his gin at Keppel Bay, and afterwards escaped tt the bush. CONFERENCE OF JUDGES. Melbourne, August 3. A conference of Judges of the Supreme Courts from the various colonies was held to-day, when matters affecting judicial subjects of importance to Australia were discussed. THE STEAMER BRUNNER. Hobakt, August 3. The steamer Brunner, bound from Glasgow to New Zealand, arrived yesterday. During the stay of the vessel at Capetown, the chief steward was sentenced to four months' imprisonment - for stealing stores and inciting the crew to mutiny. ' * Wellington, Friday. The new steamer Brunner, intended for the West Coast trade, arrived at Hobart yesterday, and was to leave for Grey mouth to-day. It is understood Captain Evans, of the Wareatea, will take charge of the new steamer ; Captain Lambert, of the steamer Manawatu, will take the Wareatea, and Captain Todd, late of the ill-fated Suva, will take the Manawatu.

THE WAIRARAPA. Sydney, August 3. Sailed : The s.s. Wairarapa, for Auckland,