AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9398, 3 January 1894, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

— .<» — Press Association.—Electric Talegraph.—Copyright. I THE COSTA RICA PACKET. Sydney, January 2. . The Premier of New Zealand has written to the New South Wales Government promising co-operation in the ' endeavour to obtain redress.for the seizure of the Sydney vessel, the Costa i Rica Packet, by the Dutch in Java ) waters. | * : THE AG£~LIBEL CASE. * Melbourne, January 2. • In the Speight-Age libel action, . the jury returned a. verdict; on one 5 count out of eleven, and declared they j were unable to answer the other counts. . They gave a verdict to the plaintiff on ' the eighth count, which refers to the ' Age's comments alleging gross extravagance, and assessed the damages at £100. The question of costs was reserved. The solicitor for the plaintiff, . when interviewed, said Mr. Speight regarded the verdict as . merely £100 on account, as it was intended to take fresh action on the other alleged libels. i THE MAIZE CROP. _ i Sydney, January 2. j Owing to the excessively dry weather the maize crop in the Grafton District ! is partially ruined. strike"of~miners. Newcastle, January 2. The miners' in the Wallarah Colliery have struck work. Sydney, January 1.: At the Keira, Mount Pleasant, and South Clifton Collieries, reductions in . the hewing rate are likely to be ac--1 cepted. » Speaking at a representative meeting of miners the chairman said nationalisation of the mines was the only salvation . for the men. , VALUABLE COAL FIND. Melbourne, January 2. A drill at St. Kilda revealed a splendid ■ seam of brown coal four feet thick, at a 1 depth of 110 feet, and also showed > favourable indication of another seam at 200 feet, with a possibility of a thick seam of black coal at 400 feet. ■ SOUTH AUSTRALIAN FINANCE. v - Adelaide, January 1. Revenue returns show the probability of a slight surplus at the end of the year. ' THE VICTORIAN AGENCY. GENERAL. > Melbourne, January 2. > For some unknown reason the • Cabinet have deemed it expedient to ' reverse their previous decision to dis- > pense with the services of Dr. Pearson. • assistant secretary to the Agent-General in London. Some mention was made of a commercial flavour which it was \ previously suggested should be invested in the Agent-General's Department, but Premier Patterson after mature reflection said it would be ridiculoui . , . to degrade the office, either of the •; Agent-General or the Secretary by . reducing it to the level of that c'i a I butterman. ',>/ A GOVERNOR'S DUTIES, \ Sydney, January 2,, Some strong remarks were made at • the customary! uncheon of the Highland 5 Society at the absence of the Governor, ! this being the first time for 96 years thai the toast of the Governor had to f be drunk in the latter'sabsence.* ■'•'**:'[;' « • THE WRECK Of/tH?'" : TENTERDEN. . ..;■ '.. ' i . ; j Adelaide, January 2,, 1 The steamer Tenterden has), be«* finally abandoned, and will be Bold «<$ ' she lies, on the reef. ''"%,'V' : INTERCOLONIAL CRICKET. - MBLBOtrBtfE, January & J / The first innings of Victoria closed I for 181 runs, or 91 behind their opponents. The chief scorers were Harry V ■ (24), Bruce (56), Wot rail (43). Ta thew ? second innings; South Australia'havoV lost , one - wicket 'for 69. A Jar vis and ! George Giffen, both not out, with 26 1 each. ; . ;'■'.'. INTENSE COLD "ikr VICTORIA;:•< ' ': ~<f Mbw.oup.nb, January I. v ' :: Many sheep and cattle are dying from '■ extreme cold in CowrV distrioC One station lost 6,000. : Many hundreds '} are lying dead 'along^ftrwasvX.^^-;'-^^^'-