AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9828, 24 May 1895, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Press Association.— Telegraph.—Copyriehfc RESIGNATION RATHER THAN RETRENCHMENT.

Melbourne, May 23. The Naval Brigade refused to accept a reduction of pay, and handed in their accoutrements, thus disbanding the crack force of the colony.

QUEENSLAND SUGAR YIELD. Brisbane, May 23. . The sugar yield for the coming season is estimated at 102,000 tons, compared with 90,000 tons for the previous season. Crush-i ing begins on the 16th June, and the new sugar market opens in the first week in July. DISCOVERY OF A NUGGET. Perth, May 23. A nugget weighing 1960z has been discovered at Marble Bar. I THE CENTRAL MINE, BROKEN HILT* Melbourne, May 23. The Central Mine (Broken Hill) shareholders have carried a' motion in favour of its sale by 35 to 17. As a three-fourths majority is required, a ballot is being taken, but the sale is regarded as a foregone conclusion, proxies representing eighty-nine thousand shares having been received in favour of the sale. Later. The poll of Central Mine shareholders resulted approximately 99,000 shares for, and 20,000 against, the sale of the property. The motion to sell was declared carried. the wages question. Melbourne, May 23. The Employers Union has resolved that any interference by the Government in the matter of wages, either as to a fixed minimum, or any other scale, is detrimental to the interests of both employers and employed. JUDGE MOLES WORTH. Melbourne, May 23. Judge Molesworth has replied to the Ministerial letter of censure. He corrects a number of Ministers' statements, and refuses to admit there was any justification for the censure.

A PLUCKY POINTSMAN. Brisbane, May 23. A railway employee named Ewing was shunting a heavily-laden mixed train at Alpha station to allow a special to pass, when a large brown snake crawled out of the points box over his hands and shoulder down his back and escaped. Ewing pluckily held 011 to the lever and allowed the train to cross safely. When questioned afterwards ho said if he had lob the lever go the train would have been wrecked and probably many lives lost. It was simply a case of manv lives or one ; besides his own safety depended on his keeping cool and quiet. DROUGHT IN VICTORIA. Melbourne. May 23. Owing to continued dry weather ploughing and sowing are greatly retarded. Unless rain falls soon it is feared the, 5 drought will have a serious effect on th: next harvest. , VICTORIAN INCOME TAX. Melbourne, May 23. The total amount of income tax received is £163,800, averaging £7 per taxpayer.