AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10044, 3 February 1896, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Press Association.—Electric Telegraph.—Co\ night, VISIT OF A MINING KXPERT. Melbourne, February 1. A commission and mining expert sent out by the German Emperor to inquire into the mining resources of Australia, after ex* haustive examination of tlio West Australian fields, is now pursuing his investigations in Victoria. He will visit the chief mining centres, and then proceed to New Zealand. RAILWAY REVENUE. Sydney, February 1. The railway revenue for the December quarter decreased by £7-, as compared with the corresponding quarter of 1594. The expenditure over the like period decreased £12,700. The rovenue for tho half-year decreased £35,000. THE BANKING BUSINESS. Melbourne, February 1. The Bank of Victoria announces to-day that it will, on May 14, pay off the whole of the deferred deposits on the same date. The National Bank of Australasia will release one-fifth of tho deposits of the creditors of the old National Bank. This will reduce the obligations of both institutions to something over four millions. Sinco re construction in 1893 tho' total reduction of deferred liabilities, including present payment, has been: National Bank, 3} millions ; Bank of Victoria, G.J millions. The half-yearly report of the Land and Mortgage Bank of Victoria shows a net) loss of £8840. The gonaral manager will bo sont to London to confer with the debenture-holders, and try to arranga a reduction in the rato of interest. THE SQUADRON, Hobart, February 1. The warships Orlando, Dart, Penguin Wallaroo, and Ringarooma leave for Lyttel< ton, on February 13. A RICH GOLD FIND. Perth, February 1. An immense formation has been dis* covered west of the Blackflag reef, 10 miles wide. It has boon traced for fiva miles. Tho original prospectors, Williams Brothers, aro New Zealanders. They have sold 24 acres of tho ground for £8000. Certified assays of stone taken from a depth of 66 feet, give from 12dwb to 13720z to tha ton. QUEENSLAND POLITICS. Brisbane, February 1, The Leader of the Opposition, addressing his constituents, said ho was considering the advisability of retiring from politics. He could not support tho Ministry, nor join a Labour Ministry, and ho could nob ; stand another five years in opposition, with' a divided team. The position of Leader of the Opposition was always difficult, bub the difficulty had greatly increased in the late Parliament. RESULTS OF A DIVORCE CASE. Sydney, February 1. Johnston, who was Bentonced to threa years on a charge of perjury in connection with the Butler divorce case (which hag occasioned a good deal of controversy, and led to a conspiracy case), has been released from custody. Johnston hag served about) one year, and his release was brought about) by persistent agitation. Mrs. Butler is Johnstone's sister, and although her husband obtained a decree in the Divorce Court, ib was subsequently proved that Mrs. Butler was innocent. The result was that Butler and a man named Davis, also a woman named Peake, were ariested on a charge of conspiracy in acciuiug Mrs, Butler of misconducting herself. Butler and Davis were sentenced to seven years' imprisonment, and Peake to four years.