AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10416, 14 April 1897, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Press Association.—Electric Telegraph,—Copyright HEW ZEALAND FINANCES. Sydney, April 13. The Sydney Morning Herald says that) New Zealand has reason to feol satisfied at the position disclosed hy tlio Colonial Treasurer, especially as the increase of revenue has been obtained over the wide area embraced in Customs, railways, stamps, and direct) taxation. Mr. Seddon, it eays, has behaved with prudenco and self-denial. The paper adds :—With reference to Mr. Seddon's bint at something like a free breakfast table, that it cannot wonder at the necessity for lowering taxation, for, according to plain rule in the case of a surplus becoming obvious, it is a country where taxation is not light. THE CYANIDE PATENT. Sydney, April 13. The Crown and most of the loading mining agents and companies have filed notices of opposition against the amendment of the cyanide patent. QUEENSLAND NATIONAL BANE. Brisbane, April 13. At the half-yearly meeting of the National Bank the retiring directors did nob offer themselves for-election, but strongly supported the scheme of re-constraction, which they said would place tho bank in a very strong position. The chairman oi directors stated he expected after June next when the scheme would be in full force that the bank would make a neb profit ol £100,000 a year. Messrs. Milne and Murphy were elected directors. The report was adopted. THE DROUGHT. Sydney, April 13. There are no signs of tiie drought breaking up. The heat and dusb are stifling. Eighty-eight degrees of heat were regis. tered in the city yesterday, which ie thi record for mid-April. The reports from thi country are generally of a distressing nature. ACCIDENT TO A JUDGE. , Melbourne, April 13. While Mr. Justice Williams was on a holiday trip he tripped and broke his knee. He will be incapacitated from duty foi several weeks. RELIEF CREWS. Sydney, April 13. H.M.S. Royal Arthur has arrived witt relief crews for the Wallaroo, the Katoomba, and the Waterwitch. THE UNEMPLOYED. Melbourne, April 13. Aβ the result) of the continued postering by members of Parliament on behalf ol unemployed constituents, the Commiasionei of Railways has forwarded a letter to members stating that tho Premier forbids the acceptance of recommendations for employmtnb in the Railway Department from members. THE BOTHWELL CASTLE FIRE. Adelaide, April 12. A thousand tons of cargo were damaged by the fire on the steamer Bothwell Caetle. Structurally the vessel suffered very slightly. THE STRIKE IN THE BOOT TRADE, Adelaide, April 13. The female workers in the boob tradf have formed a union to support the strikers, There are no signs of the strike terminating. THE JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS. Melbourne, April 13. The Acting-Premier has received a circular from Mr. Chamberlain suggesting thai uniform action throughout the colonies would greatly add to the interest of the jubilee celebrations, but be consider! climatic conditions alone render this im< practicable. Bo confidently leaves it) to local initiative to fittingly celebrate thi occasion. Tbe City Council have donated £1000 t< the Jubilee Infectious Disease Hospital funds. THE STOCKTON MINE. Sydney, April 13. A deputation representing the Stockton miners asked the Minister of Mines to reinstate McDonald ind McAuliffe. Thoy bad no desire to cast any reflection on the decisions of the Court) of Inquiry or the new management, bub the mine was dangerous, and the old managers knew it better than anyone else. The miuers were eafesb m their hands. The Minister sympathised with the old managers, bub said be could not ignore the decision of the Court, which had found them guilty of negligence and incompetency.