AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9341, 26 October 1893, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Press Association.— Telegraph.— Copyright TELEGRAM COPYRIGHT BILL. Sydney, October 25. In the Legislative Assembly a point of order was raised on the second reading of the Telegram Copyright Bill, on the ground that as it interfered with trade it should be introduced in committee. Mr. Sutton, on behalf of the Postmaster-General, stated that the Government opposed the measure The Speaker disallowed the point of order, and, after some discussion, the second reading was negatived by 40 to 4.

THE FRENCH CABLE. Brisbane, October 25. The Premier, Sir T. Mcllwraith, in replying to Lord Ripon's dispatch concerning the Now Caledonian cable, states that the sentiments expressed by the Colonial Secretary are based on reports of an exaggerated character. Sir Thomas refers at length to the policy of complacency pursued by the Imperial Government, in allowing foreign powers to have influence in New Caledonia and New Guinea, and expresses the opinion that if the Imperial Government had listened to the protests of the Australian colonies, French criminals would never have been deported to Noumea, hence there would have been no necessity for France to construct a cable to connect New Caledonia and Australia.

A CASE OF SMALLSydney, October 25. The discovery has been made that a young woman residing at Darlinghurst is suffering from small-pox, and she has been placed in quarantine. The origin of the disease is a mystery.

WEST AUSTRALIAN GOLDFIELDS „ Perth, October 25. Another important gold discovery has been made hear COalgardie, which was the scene of a small rush a short time ago. One party has obtained 100 ounces, including a nugget containing 70 ounces of pure gold.

GREAT HEAT IN QUEENSLAND. ' Brisbane, October 25 The country in the vicinity of Flinders is in a deplorable condition from drought. Stock are dying in large numbers. The heat is intense, the thermometer registering 111 in the shade, with no appearance of rain.

BANKS AND CROWN MONEYS. Melbourne, October S!5. An important action is pending to test the power of banks to lock up Crown moneys. The Master in Equity lodged £30,000 by order of the Supreme Court, and the Government claim thia money cannot be locked up. The de« fendants contend that such money does not belong to the Trust Funds of the Treasury, and is therefore in the same position as moneys of any other depositors.

A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT IN VICTORIA. Melbourne, October 25. While Leardet, an experimental chemist, residing near Elsternwick, was experimenting with a, new explosive, a terrific explosion occurred, and he was blown to pieces.

SIR H. PARKES AND LOCAL "' OPTION. SIDNEY, October 25. Sir Henry Parkes, speaking at a local option meeting, declared it to be the clear right of the people to pay whether they should have additional '■ publichouses without any monetary * compensation. He expressed himself fully in accord with the principle of local option. " " " ; r " r