AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9493, 24 April 1894, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Press Association.—Electric Telegraph.— MURDER OP A FRENCHMAN. Melbourne, April 23. Two men—one an Indian, the other a local resident—have been arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the murder of the Frenchman named Posset. They were detected pawning some of the victim's jewellery. A GAMBLING CRUSADE. Melbourne, April 23. The Re?. Mr. Marshall, of the Scots Church, suggested the initiation of a crusade Against gambling, and in order to minimise betting he advocates the introduction of the totalisator. He also says good would result if the leading newspapers would combine in refusing to publish betting quotations. FATAL RAILWAY ACCIDENT. Adelaide, April 23. A train ran over a cab on the Port Adelaide line, the driver being killed and two of the occupants fatally injured. ,* AN ALARMING OCCURRENCE. Sydney, April 23. A cesspit in a suburban public school collapsed this afternoon, precipitating fourteen girls to the bottom of it, from which they were rescued, but only after a terrible struggle. Two were brought to the surface in an unconscious state. MUTUAL LIFE ASSOCIATION OP AUSTRALASIA. Sydney, April 23. The annual meeting of the Mutual Life Association of Australasia was held to-day. The report showed a steady increase in business, and the expenditure had been reduced by four per cent. The accumulated fund now exceeded one million two hundred thousand pounds. The death claims had been singularly light, and the next bonus distribution will take place at the end of 1894. SPLIT IN THE LABOUR PARTY. Sydney, April 23. The split between the labour party inside and that outside Parliament is becoming more intensified. Several of the former have signed the requisite pledge, while others firmly resent it. A LANDOWNERS' DEFENCE LEAGUE. Sydney, April 23. A new political organisation called the Landowners' League, has been formed in opposition to the Single Taj Society. THE BARRABA SHOOTING CASE. Sydney, April 23. It is thought in the Barraba district that the murderers of Mr. McKay are making for Dripping Rock, where Thunderbolt, the bushranger, camped. At this point there is a cave where two men could keep a whole regiment at bay. Ten search parties, fully armed, are scouring the country. The search party, about which some anxiety was felt, is safe Cummings, suspected of being concerned in the Barraba murder, served five years early in the eighties for horse stealing. ' McManus, a well-known resident of Gunnedah, has been arrested on a charge of the murder of Mr. McKay, on the grounds that a hat and coat found in his possession answer the description of theiseworn by one of the supposed murderers. He has been remanded to Barraba. Two others w' " were arrested proved an alibi and were charged. A GOVERNOR NEARLY KILLED. Hobart, April 23. Lord Gormanston, the Governor, had a narrow escape of losing his life while on.a visit to the Lake district. He mistook the nature of the ground, and sank in the reeds up to the armpits, but a constable held him up till assistance was procured. THE WHALER ANTARCTIC. !■-,-■■'■ < Hobart, April 23. The Norwegian whaler Antarctic has put into harbour to make arrangements for shipping her take of oil to England. She does not begin her cruise to the sooth oi New Zealand until July.