AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10265, 17 October 1896, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

-o Press Assodation.-Electric Tele fi raph-CopyriM. ALLEGED MISAPPROPRIATION OF TRUST MONEYS. Brisbane, October 16. It has been freely rumoured during the week that a large misappropriation of trust moneys line been discovered in a deceased estate. It is stated that £20,000 is missing and that warrants have been issued against two persons. AN EXTRAORDINARY CASE. Sydney. October 16. There is a fresh development in the Slater-Slocum incident. On the informs, tion of Captain Slocura, Slater was bound over to keep the peace for sis months. The information stated that Slater, in addressing the crowd, used the words, 'God help Slocum, When we meet I will not be responsible for my notions. I will make an angel of him when I get hold of him.' Slocum, in giving evidence, said he wanted protection for his life, as ha believed Slater was likely to carry out his threats. Slater denied using the threats, bub admitted saying to the crowd, ' you are making a little god of Slocum, but if we meeb 1 will make him a little angel.' He declared to the Bench that Slocum had ruined his life and hated him, but his bitterost hate would do him a good turn if salvation depended upon it. SUPPOSED MASSACRE AT NEW GUINEA. Sydney, October 16. The steamer Titus brings nows of thi supposed massacre of five Queensland prospectors, on the north-east coast of Now Guinea. The party, accompanied by a number of New Guinea natives, started in a boat for the Mombari River Roldfields, and shortly afterwards a trading vessel picked up a native on tho coast, who stated that the boat capsized, and that ho was the only survivor. Subsequently eomo property belonging to the prospectors and oars of the boat were found in possession of the natives, and this evidence strongly points to a maspacre. The authorities are making enquiries. QUEENSLAND PARLIAMENT. Brisbane, October 16. In the Legislative Assembly the Premier announced that tho Govermnont had decided to postpone tho further consideration of the Land and Local Government Bills this session in view of more pressing legislation. Parliament, ho said, would be called together earlier next year, to deal with the measures he had mentioned. MARINE ENQUIRY. Melbourne, October 10. The marine enquiry into the wreck of tho Bogong found that no one was to blame as the vessel apparently struck a floating snag. SEAMEN'S WAGES. Melbourne, Ootober 18. Tho steamship owners have considered the request of the Seamen's Conlorenco to discuss tho rates of wages. The owners declined, but informed Mr. Smith, secretary of the seamen, that they were preparod to meet the representatives of the ciews actually in their employ, should they hare any arguments to submit. The local executives of the Seamen's Unions in the various colonies have mado similar de« raands. The seamen desire the present) rates to be uniformly increased to £S and £6 per month. Mr, Smith states that it is many years since there was such difficulty in obtaining seamen, especially in Sydney, but admits the remark does nob apply to Melbourne. Still the shipping industry all over Australia is in a healthy condition, and the wages paid in other than maritime employment justify an increase in the present rates. .'.',■ . ( ..v : .■..:«,,