AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8631, 29 July 1891, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Press Association.—Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. V THE A.M.P. SOCIETY. .. , Sydney, July 28. The ballot taken on the proposal to '• extend the Australian Mutual Provi dent Society's business to Great Britain resulted as follows :~For proposal; 14,957 against, 9508. As the regulations provide for a two-thirds majority the proposal was therefore negatived WRECK OF A MISSIONARY SCHOONER. Sydney, July 28. The London " missionary schooner Harrier has been wrecked near Cooktown. The Rev. Mr. Charlters, , five , others, and the crew, were saved. _,-•-, PROPOSAL TO PURCHASE , THE NEW ZEALAND RAILWAYS. Sydney, July 28. Mr. Witheford, of Auckland, is nego- ,- tiating with the Government of New Zealand in the interests of a powerful English syndicate to purchase the whole of the New Zealand railways. 4 If the Government entertain the proposals it is expected a representative of the syndicate will proceed to New Zealand forthwith. " ■■-'V- ■-.■■ ■■■ Later. : In a further telegram to the NeSliZea-' land Government re the purchase of the railways, it is stated that \ Mr. Witheford, on behalf of a syndicate, said it . was proposed to introduce the* zone system, and urge the introduction of immense capital for pushing on the. construction of the railways thus causing a large influx of population and money into New Zealand. Wellington, Tuesday. * The Premier this morning received a cable trom Mr. Witheford respecting the sale of the railways, couched in similar terms to that which comes from Sydney. An answer was promptly senb that the pro« ' posal was preposterous, and could not be entertained for a moment.