AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10098, 6 April 1896, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Press Association.— Teleerapb.—Copyright. CONCILIATION BOARDS. Melbourne, April 4. The Amalgamated Winers' Association has asked the Premiorto establish a conciliation board. Mr. Turner said it was useless to encumber the statute book with an Act which would break down the first time of application. He promised, however, to investigate tho New Zealand and South Australian Acts to seo whether he could draft a bill on their lines. PASTORAL RENTALS REDUCED. Sydney, April 5. The Land Board havo re-appraised the pastoral holdings in the Broken Hill district. In the majority of cases, owing to the depredations of rabbits chiefly, they have reduced rentals from 50 to 55 per cent. WOOL WORKS BURNED. Sydney, April 5. MacNamara's wool works at Alexandria were gutted byjfire. An employee named Williams sleeping on the premises was burned to death. The damage is estimated at £3500. OVERLAND LINE INTERRUPTED. Adelaide, April 5. There are evidences that the heavy rain experienced in West Australia liar extended to the northern territory and tho overland telegraph line to Port Darwin is interrupted by, it is supposed, heavy floods,

QUEENSLAND ELECTIONS. Brisbane, April 5. The third batch of elections makes the position of parties thus : — Ministerial ... 37 Labour ... ... 19 Opposition ... ... 6 Independent 4 The feature ot yesterday's polling was the success of the Labour party, who secured 12 seats. The strength of the party in last Parliament was 17, and they expect to win several seats yot. Mr. Byrnes had an easy victory at Warwick. ADELAIDE HOSPITAL. Adelaide, April 4. The honorary staff of the hospital decline to withdraw their resignations, but are willing to continue to the end of April, provided their resignations are accepted forthwith. THE PACIFIC CABLE. Sydney, April 4. Mr. Audley Coote, in the course of an interview on the Pacific Cable question, said the idea ot a cable through British territory alone was impossible. Tho desire of the Australians was to have an independent line away from the Eastern Extension routes ; but, to branch over to New Zealand would be to immediately come in contact with the company's system. With regard to tho French Company's cable, if any Australian Government contributed to guarantee tho interesb on tho capital necessary to having a cable laid, it could send messages free in perpetuity, and more than that, could guarantee a reduction of the present public rate by half, and the Press g to by a half or more than a half.

THE LORIMER INQUIRY. Melbourne, April 5. The Executive Council has considered the Lorimer Board report, and as a result tho names of Rappiport, Baxter, and Bird, have been removed from the Commission of the Peace. THE MINING DISPUTE. Sydney, April 5. At a meeting of Soapit miners it was decided not to give notice of strike. This decision will probably have an important bearing on a general strike by deciding tho action of several other wavering bodies. SUPPOSED SUICIDE. Melbourne, April 5. The body of the man who attempted to murder Cunningham, was found in a waterliolo. Apparently the man committed suicide.