AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9139, 22 August 1888, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[press association.]

. DEATH OF AN EX-PREMIER. Sydney, August 21. The death is announced of .Tames Squire Farnall, M.L.A. for Redfern He was Minister of Lands in the Parkes Ministry from 187*2 to 1875, and Premier of the colony in 1878.

THE MELBOURNE ART GALLERY.

Melbourne, August 21. The trustees of the National Art Gallery are. making extensive purchases of pictures at the Exhibition.

DEATH OF THE HON. A. FRASER.

Melbourne, August 21. The death is announced of Alexander Fraser, an ex-member of the Legislative Council.

ACTION FOR ASSAULT.

Sydney, August 21. In the Supreme Court to-day, Mr. John Haynes, M.L.A. for Mudgee, brought an action against Mr. James Fletcher, M.L.A. for Newcastle, in which damages were laid at £500, for an assault committed by tho lattoi upon the former in the Mouse of Assembly on the' 21st of March last. A verdict was given for defendant.

BRITISH NEW GUINEA. Brisbane, August 21. Mr. W. McGregor, Special Commissioner for New Guinea, sailed for his new sphere of labour on Saturday. He expects to be in a position to proclaim the sovereignty of Her Majesty the Queen over British New Guinea on the 6th September. CONFESSION OF MURDER. Brisbane, August 21. A man named John Sutherland has confessed to the murder of a station hand, William Shuning, on Meteor Downs Station twelve years ago. The police are making inquiries into the matter. DROUGHT IN NEW SOUTH WALES. Sydney, August 21. The present is the driest season ever known in this part of the colony, embracing a radius of a hundred miles of tiiis city. In the country districts, also, the rainfall has been below the average.