AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10124, 6 May 1896, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Press Association.- Electric Telegraph.-Copyright. DEATH OP LADY DOWNER. Adklaidb, May 5. The death is announced of Lady Downer.

NARCOTIC POISONING. Hobart, May 5. Augustus E. Graves, recently arrived from New Zealand with his wife and family, was found dead at his lodgings. Death is supposed to have been by an overdose of a narcotic.

LORD BRASSEY AND MASONRY. Mklbookne, May 5.

Chief Justice Wey installed Lord Bra?sey as Grand Master of the Masonic Lodge. The ceremony which took place in the Town Hall was a most imposing one.

UNIVERSITY EXHIBITIONS. MSLBOCRNK, May 5.

The Government has decided to giant twenty university exhibitions annually in connection with the public schools.

CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP.

Sydnev, May 5.

The chess championship of Australasia was won by Wallace, Now South Wales, who beab Hodgson, Victoria, by seven games to one, one being drawn.

THE MINERS' STRIKE. Newoastlk, May 5.

TbePaoifio Minors' Non-Union Lodge has decided not to resume work until the demands in the district are granted. The Sartlee men, after obtaining concessions and signing an agroement, have taken a similar course, which will greatly strengthen the hands of the strikers. The negotiations with the Lambton and New Lambton men proved futile, and the pits remain closed.

Later. There is some prospect of the Crane employees joining the miners' strike. If they do shipment of coal will he blocked.

CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.

Sydney, May 5. The Civil Service Board has completed the reorganisation of the chief secretary's department, ' A saving of £20,000 per annum will be effected.

LAWN TENNIS TOURNAMENT. Sydney, May 5. The Singles Championship matches wero begun to-day. i'arkes, New Zealand, beat Curtis, the Sydney University representative, by three sots to one; Colquohon, Sydney, beat Collins, New Zealand, three sets to one; Dr. Hughes, Sydney, who also holds the Queensland championship, beat Gore, r<ew Zealand, three sets to love. Contrary to expectation the first round of the Ladies' Singles also began today. Miss NunnoUy, New Zealand, beat Miss Gifts, two sets to one. The latter, however, suffered under the disadvantage of having injured her ankle severely in a previous game. The New Zealand representatives were evidently suffering from the effects of the voyage, and scarcely played |up to form. They have arranged to play a j team match against New South Walesjnexfe Monday,