AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10085, 21 March 1896, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Press Association.—Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.

SCULLING RACE.

Sydney, March 20. Stanbury sails for England to morrow. The race with Harding is fixed for July 13th. CITY OF MELBOURNE BANK. Melbourne, March 20. The Chief Justice, in granting an application for the examination of the lata auditor and general manager of the City of Melbourne Bank, made the order for the examination to be held in public at the discretion of the examining commissioner. THREATENED MINERS' STRIKE. Sydney, March 20. Though the ballot returns are kept aa far as possible secret, the latest advices are that the Newcastle lodges are voting largely in favour of a strike, and a general stoppage is imminent.

THE SALVATION ARMY.

Sydney, March 20.

The Salvation Army has received a cable to the effect that Herbert Booth and his wife, now commanding in Canada, have been appointed to the command in Australia and New Zealand in succession to Commander Coombs, who has been appointed to the command in tho United Kingdom in succession to Commandor Howard.

BANK RATES REDUCED.

Brisbane, March 20.

The banks have reduced the deposit rates to 3 per cent, for 12, and 1J percent, for six months.

FLOGGING NATIVES IN FIJI.

Sydney, March 20.

Sir John Thurston says there is some misconception in regard to Mr. Chamberlain's reply in the House of Commons on the subject of flogging in Fiji. Sir John says no such practice as flogging exists in Fiji, but during his absence an officer ordered certain natives to be flogged, an altogether illegal, reprehensible, and unprecedented thing. The officer was removed by the administrator of the Government another district, on reduced salary.

THE FROZEN MEAT TRADE.

Sydney, March 20.

The unsatisfactory results of the frozen raent trade engaged the attention of a Conference of representatives of the trade during the week. New South Wales, Yic« toria, and Queensland were represented. A schorae was approved which will be sent to all the freezing companies in Australia, and when replies have been received a further conference will be held for the purpose of finally adopting it. The object 18 to form a combination to act on cooperative lines, regulating the supplies, besides classing and maintaining a regulai standard of meat, so as to command improved prices. It is intended not only to regulate the export from Australia, but to operate in such a way on the English market as to guard the meat from being sacrificed when it reaches London.

THE JOINT STOCK BANK.

Melbourne, March 20.

The Argus has been informed by the Board of Directors of the Joint Stock Bank that the statement in a recent financial article, which appeared in its columns, to the effect that the Bank would have to ask for a reduction of interest, is absolutely without foundation. The Argus expresses regrot at having published the statement.

THE MARINE INQUIRY.

Melbourne, March 20.

The Sangster Board of Inquiry was mainly occupied yesterday investigating the charges against thy Underwriters Association. Several officials, including Mr. Cleveland, the secretary, denied Captain McKenzie's statements. The ex-chairman admitted that the reason for not re-engaging McKenzie was owing to his suspicious valuation of a sboamor.

THREE MINERS DROWNED.

Perth, March 20.

By the flooding of a shaft at the Netf Cham mine, Mount Magnet, throe men, Campbell, Cook, and Daniels were drowned. Owing to heavy rains the water carao down the gully like a wave and entered the shaft) without any warning.

LADY ELLEN BOYLE.

Hobart, March 20.

Among the passeugers by the Ruapehu, for Now Zealand, is Lady Ellen Boyle, sister of Lord Glasgow.

MURDERS BY BLACKS. Adelaide, March 20.

Father McKillip, of the Jesuit Mission, has informed the Port Darwin police thai two Chinese have been murdered by blacks at-Daly River. The blacks also raided James P. Arling's camp ab Melville Island, but were beaten off after spearing an attendant through the hand.