AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10414, 12 April 1897, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Preu AisocUtion.-Klectrlc Teleicr aph.-Cop yrifth* BANKING AFFAIBS. Melbourne, April 10. The proposal of the English creditors foi the contemplated Banks Assets Company is that) a company should be formed for each of the four banks, the shareholders in each assets company to be the English and colonial creditors of tbe particular bank. The assets are to be assessed at) actual market value, and shareholders, in proportion to their individual claims upon the banks, receive debentures bearing three pet cent, interest to the extent of that valuation, the balance of claims to berepresented by the assets company's shares. It is further proposed tbab the four companies be worked by one board, and if possible by one manager, who will take the place of the four present) liquidators. The National Bank on July 22nd will pay off 314 per cent, of deferred deposit receipts, making two-thirds of the whole of the original amount. A NEW GDINEA GOLD FIND. Cooktown, April 10. The discovery of a rich gold reef it reported to have taken place near Forl Moresby, New Guinea. Miners are rushing to the locality. SUPPOSED SERIES OF MURDERS. Sydney, April 10, The police have ascertained that at thl time Moore was arrested for the murder oi Smith at Bourke he possessed a carb and Bible which belonged to Thomas Anderson, a Swedish hawker whose body, enclosed in a sack with the bead battered in, was found floating in the river at Yatradool twelve months ago. Anderson's name had been removed from the cart. police alec state that Moore waa in the Collarendabri District at the time a man was found murdered there in a similar manner to Smith and Anderson. THE LIBEL LAWS. Sydney, April 10. A meeting of representatives of metro* politan and country newspapers was held with the object of making a combined effort to secure an amendment in the libel laws, especially as applied to newspapers. It resolved that the law of libel is altogether out of date, and against the best interests of the community, and requires amendment. The meeting appointed a deputation to wMb upon the Acting-Premier to urge the necessity of introducing an amending Bill. THE DIAMOND JUBILEECELEBKATIONS. Sydney, April 10. A detachment of Lancers, consisting of 30 officers and men, to participate in the Queen's celebration, sailed to-day by tbe The Governor reviewed the troops, and they received an enthusiastic send-off, Over £1200 has been subscribed by the public to pay their expenses. A STATUE UNVEILED. SiixNET, April 9. The statue of Mr. James Fletcher, for many years prominently connected with the development of the coal trade and with parliamentary life, being at one time Minister of Mines, has been unveiled at New* castle. Tbe cost was defrayed by public subscriptions. . OBITUARY. Melbourne, April 11. Mr. Anderson, member for Kara, ii dead.