AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9141, 24 August 1888, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[PRESS ASSOCIATION.! THE CHINESE QUESTION. Adelaide, August 21. m The Premier has received a communication from the Agent-General to the effect that the Imperial- Government is not in favour of the provisions in the Chinese Restriction Bill imposing a poll-tax, nor are they in favour of a 500-ton limitation. The home authorities consider the poll-tax should be abolished altogether, and the limitation lowered. , TONGAN AFFAIRS. Sydney, August 23. H.M. s. Calliope will leave imme-* diately for Fiji, to take the High Commissioner of the Western Pacific (Sir J. B. Thurston) to Tonga on important business. MURDERED BY BLACKS. Brisbane, August 23. Edward Maher,a contractor at Giraldton, left his home yesterday in company with two blacks. His body was discovered to-day with the head almost hanging off. CONFERENCE OF PROTECTIONISTS. Sydney, August 23. A conference of Protectionists was held to-day. It was resolved to make Protection the leading question at the next elections. VERDICT OF MURDER. Melbourne, August 21. At the inquest on the body of John Duggan, who was discovered murdered at Elmore (near Bendigo) on July 3rd, a verdict of wilful murder was returned against William Harrison. THE SHEARERS' DISPUTE. Sydney,' August 23. The difficulty between Unionist and non-Unionist shearers at Brokong Station has terminated, the Unionists having given way. EXTENSIVEGRASS FIRES. Sydney, August 23. Serious grass fires have occurred in the Macquarrie Plains district. Over 100,000 acres of grass have been burned, and a large number of sheep have been destroyed. SHIPPING. Sydney, August 23. Sailed : S.s. Taupo, for Wellington.