AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9991, 30 November 1895, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

» Press Ai -Electric --Copyright. VICTORIAN PARLIAMENT. Melbourne, November 29. The Assembly has passed the abolition of Plural Voting, and the Women's Franchise Bills through all their stages. TAXATION PROPOSALS IN NEW SOUTH WALES. Sydney, November 29. After a lengthy debate the Assembly adopted the report of the Conference on the Taxation Bill. No that the difficulty between both Houses is practically ended, the prorogation will probably take place within a fortnight or three weeks. The new taxation, which was intended to date from July of the present year, will nob come into operation before January. Ibis understood the Government is willing thab the Council should amond the Bill to this effect. Later. So far as the different parties are concerned there seoms to be a feeling of general satisfaction at the result of the. conference. The Government first estimated to receive £508,000 from the Land and Income taxes, but as the rosult of the conference and compromise and the reduction of exemptions they now expect £600,000. A DISTRESSING OCCURRENCE. Hobart, November 29. Kayo, the lessee of Trefoil Island, with his wife, son, and daughter, started for the mainland about sis weeks ago, but when a little distance from the island tho boat was swamped, and all were drowned in the presence of the remaining children on the island. The fact was only discovered by men calling at the island yesterday. A fourteen-year-old daughter had looked after her younger brothers and sisters. All the provisions were exhausted, bub a boy had killed a sheep, on which they were living when found. THE FAILURE OF THE CROPS. Mklboornj, November 29. Owing to the drought, the crop? of beans and peas are not expected to go over 15 bushels to the acre, which is much below the average. Lasb year there were half-a-million acres cut for hay, but this year the number will not exceed 300,000 acres, and the average yiold will nob be over 15cwt per acre, which is the lowest rate for many years. THE BAKER CASE. Melbourne, November 29. The Government intend to bear half the expense of Baker's extradition. A NEW SHEEP DISEASE. Melbourne, November 29, The Government Pathologist has disco* vered a disease known as water rob, which has carried off a thousand sheep in tho western districts. It has as its immediate host one of the commonesb of fresh water snails. All phases of the dovelopmenb of the fluke havo been observed. A similar discovery was recently made in New South Wales, bub the host) there was of a different species of . snail. NEW HEBRIDES MISSION. Sydney, November 29. Th« Presbyterian Board of Missions have decided to withdraw the subsidy of the New Hebrides Steamship Company on the expiry of the present year's contract, and intend to inaugurate a service of their own when the new mission steamer, the Day Spring, now on her way out, arrives. SYDNEY MINING MARKET. Sydney, November 29. Silver shares are again very active. Block 10 sold at a further rise of 2a 3d; Proprietary, Is 6d ; Block 14, at Is 3d. VICTORIAN JUSTICE. Melbourne, November 29. In the District Court, Mr. Lormer made further reference to his charges regarding the administration of justico, and complained of the way in which the matter had been allowed to drag, thus interfering with justice. One of his principal witnesses, he alleged, had previous to the charges, been assisted to leave the colony. Mr. Nicholson, the presiding Magistrate, unsuccessfully tried to stop Mr. Lormer, and then adjourned the Court. Mr. Lormei said he would refer to the matter again. -