AUSTRALIAN NEWS,

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 10009, 21 December 1895, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS,

Press Association.—Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. AUSTRALIAN FEDERATION. Sydney, December 20. In the Legislative Assombly, the Premier, in moving tho adoption of tho Council's amendments to the Federal Bill, said ho did nob intend a measure containing such groat reforms to be wrecked over small matters. Members might bo assured this contemptible barrier would be surmounted. Tho Council's amendments were agreed to, and the Bill finally passed. Melbourne, December 20. Tho Federal Bill has finally passod without amendment. NEW SOUTH WALES PARLIAMENT. Sydney, December 20. The Council having given way in regard to the amendments in the Public Sorvice Bill the measure has passed. The Premier, in moving the adjournment of the House, said a proclamation proroguing Parliament would be issued beforo next sitting day. The businoss of the session has ended. Parliament was proroguod to-day. THE ABRAHAMS CASE. Melbourne, December 20. Tho Chief Justice has determined the terms on which tho sheriff shall retire possession of certain property belonging to the Abrahams, convicted on charges connected with tho Greener gun case. Ho agrees that the property, by consent of the parties, bo retired upon payment into Court by the judgment debtors of £320, the amount to which the full Court has offered to cut down the jury's verdict, and £1593, which represented the taxed costs in tho case. A TICK PLAGUE. Brisbane, December 20. A tick plaguo is ravaging stock with great virulence. It has even attacked wallabis, kangaroos, snakes, and iguanas. CHARGE OF CONSPIRACY. Sydney, December 20. Smith, Ells, Holman, Woolridge, Biassie, Gowens, lioutley, and Lovo, directors and officers of the defunct Labour paper, tho Daily Post, havo been committed for trial on a chargo of conspiracy. SIR C. LILLEY SEIZED WITH APOPLEXY. Hkisiia.vk, December 20. Sir C. Lilley lias been seized by a mild attack of apoplexy. His left side is slightly paralysed. QUEENSLAND PARLIAMENT. Brisbane, Decomber2o. The Legislative Council threw out tho Workmon's Lion Bill. A number of small Bills passed their final stages in both Houses. The session has practically ended. A NEW JUDGE. Brisbane, December 20. Mr. Virgil Power, Crown prosecutor, has accepted tho Puisne Judgeship rendered vacant by tho death of Mr. Justice Harding. SOUTH AUSTRALIAN PARLIAMENT. Adelaide, December2o. A dead-lock has arisen between the two Houses, owing to tho Council's Amendments in the Pastoral Bill. Tho Council has asked for another conference. VICTORIAN PARLIAMENT. Melbourne, December 20. The Supply Bill, the Income Tax Bill, and tho Mildura Trust Rill havo passed the Council. The Factories Bill has been referred to a Seloct Committee. The Council has adjournod to January 14. VICTORIAN PUBLIC ACCOUNTS. Melbourne, December 20. Tho report of the committee on public accounts has boen presented to Parliament. It recommends that a statement of public revenue and expenditure should bo presented monthly instead of quarterly, and in a more simplified form. Select Committee* and Boards of Enquiry should bo under efficient and economical control. It also recommends tho appointment of a special auditor to supervise cho railway accounts ; further, that the railway loans be passed annually, the unexpended balance to lapse. USURY IN MELBOURNE. Mklboukxk, December 20. The committee appointed by tho Legislative Council to inquire into moneylenders' practices, consequent on certain statements made in Parliament, reported that they found in some cases as high as 30 per cent, charged not only on amounts actually lent, but on heavy bonuses in addition. In the committee's opinion steps should bo taken to prevent tho continuance of the system of usury disclosed, and they recommend legislative action to make moneylenders of this class register their transactions, and put a reasonable limit on charges. THE NEW HEBRIDES TRAGEDY. Sydney, Decoinber 20. In connection with tho murder of Rossi at tho New Hebrides, the captain of the French steamer Ocean Ro/er recently landed with an armed crow and secured three of tho murderers, who were conveyed to Noumea for trial. Ho learned that the body of Rossi was exhumod by the natives, who stuck the head on a pole, and used the arm and leg bouos for tipping their spears. SCULLING MATCH. Sydney, December 20. Stnnbury lias put up tho first deposit of £100 for the match against Wag Harding. The race will probably take plac* on tho Thames at the end of August. Stanbury intends to leave for England in February.