AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9402, 8 January 1894, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

.» —— Press Association.—Electric Telegraph.-Copyright. THE FEDERATION QUESTION. Sydney, January 6. The President of the Bendigo branch of the Federation League, who is at f)resent on a visit to Sydney, says lis branch has prepared a Bill based on the result of the deliberations of the Corowa Conference. It provides that the Parliaments in each colony shall legislate to create electoral districts returningone member each on the single vote principle, as a representative to a congress which will frame a constitution. If two colonies should adopt the constitution the Bill provides for referring the matter to the electors for final decision. The expenses of the Congress are to be borne by each colony in equal proportions. THE KNORR CASE. W Melbourne, January 6. Mrs. Knorr has made a statement to the effect that the three children entrusted to her care met their deaths through the agency of a man, whose name was coupled with tier's during the late trial. The police are inquiring into the matter. ANTARCTIC WHALING. Melbourne, January 6. An application has been made to the Minister of Customs for a bonus to establish a whaling fishery industry in the Antarctic Ocean. The applicants state that a steamer, fully equipped, will shortly arrive in colonial waters, from Norway, and if sufficient inducement is offered she will make Melbourne her headquarters. The Minister has not decided whether it is best to give the applicants a grant of land or pay them a bonus in cash. At the same time he thinks that Dunedin or Hobart would be more favourably suited as the headquarters 'of the in« dustry. . —.X~ WALTER BENTLEY'S CREDITORS Adelaide, January 6. Walter Bentley, the well-known actor, has had to call a meeting of his creditors owing to undue pressure from comparatively small creditors. In the statement he furnished to the meeting the liabilities were set down at ,6700, and the assets at £2400. The meeting decided that the small creditors should be paid within a month, and the otherr within six months, with 5 per cent, interest added. ' WAGES IN THE COAL TRADE. Sydney, January 6. ■ The owners of the Metropolitan Colliery, the largest of the southern collieries, have given fourteen days' notice of their intention to reduce the hewing rate by fourpence per ton. The men employed in the mine do not want to strike if it can be avoided, and they will endeavour to arrange for a conference # with the owners to effec a compromise. Sydney, January 7. It is understood that the non associated collieries have agreed tc adopt the reduced hewing rate. SETTLEMENT OF THE QUEENSLAND MILITARY DISPUTE. Brisbane, January 7. ; The friction between the Commandant of the Forces, the Government, and the Hon. A. J. Thynne, LieutenantColonel commanding the volunteers, arising out of the appointment of an officer by the latter whom the Government approved, but whom the former refused to recognise, has been settled by the revocation of the appointment. SEVERE~STORMS. Sydney, January 6. Storms experienced in the Wagga Wagga district are the heaviest for 20 years past. Nearly three inches of rain fell in forty-five minutes, causing considerable damage to standing crops." MR. STREETEIiIN AUSTRALIA. Sydney, January 6. Mr. Streeter, the well-known London diamond merchant, is at present on a visit to the colony. He is understood to be making inquiries with regard to the Bugera diamonds. NEW ZEALAND 'CYCLISTS AND THEIR TROPHIES. Sydney, January 7. With respect to the fine imposed in Christchurch for the alleged wrongful landing at Lyttelton of the trophies won by the New Zealand 'cyclists in Australia; the Suburban ; Bicycle Chits and , the Darlinghurst Harriers .combined have subscribed the amount of the fine. -In 'cycling circles here it is thought a pity that such a graceful act should have come from the local clubs, instead of from the New Zealand clubs j interested in the matter.

NEW SOUTH WALES SWIMMING TEAM.

;.,•,• > : Sydney, January 7. ;>' » The New South « Wales swimming team left by the Mararoa to take pari in the swimming con vasts in Auckland, " INTERCOLONIAL CRICKET. ■;.;.:.', ;,: ; \::}',' SYDNEY,' January ; 7. j < The : weather v was fine yesterdays for the c ". cricket > match -■ between -- >* South Australia and ~ New South Wales, but} the wicket was rather soft. The visitors batted first . and ere all dis« posed of for 117.7 Lyons 20, and Blurman 25, were the chief scorers. ; New South Wales has lost 3 wickets for 38*