AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10429, 29 April 1897, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Pimi Aesociatlon.—ElectTlc Tel«fnph.-Coprrfeht BUTLER'S STATEMENTS.

Bvdnet, April 28. Amongst the statements made by Butler, evidently with ulterior motives, is that his father died a lumftic.

Another crime which he hints he knows something about ia the murder of a man at Coofcsmandra, whose body with the head battered in was found in a waterhole two years ago.

The detectives, when interviewed, fully confirm Butler's confessions »e to th« murder of Burgess and several others, and his attempts at suicide. They are convinced that Butler can jet make more seneationml disclosures, and he will do so in (be near future.

Butler lUtea that) he spend four yean in Western Australia, and served • little while in the police force as a probationer. He hints at many dark Crimea in Western Australia, and saya hi took part in the stickinjj-up of gold escort*. Hβ says he is nob going to be known aa Butler any more. It is too common t name. THE DIAMOND JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS. Adelaide, April 38. The Hon. C. C. Kingston, the Premier, and Mr«. Kingston, Sir Georg* and Lady Turner, and * detachment of South Australian troops soiled in the Orotare to-day, They were accorded an enthusiastic sendoff. THE WEATHER. HoBAKT, April 28. Steady rain is falling throughout tht colony and has broken up the drought. SERIOUS FIRE. Adelaide, April 28. A fare in this city destroyed the Apothecaries Hall, and several other buildings The damage is estimated at £10,000.

NEW SOUTH WALES PARLIAMENT. Sydne?, April 28. The Legislative Council has adopted the Address-in-Reply.

In the Assembly last night Mr. Lynesaid he had nothing to say against Mr. Reid , * vlsib to England. What be insisted on was that Parliament should'have been 1 consulted, Be would give no pledge m to the action the Opposition would take daring Mr. Reid's absence. He generally attacked the financial policy of the Government* • Mr. Copelann 1 said if he saw a chance to defeat the Government daring the absence of the Premier he Would take it

In the Assembly, Mr. Reid, replying to Mr. Lyne's charge that the Government had failed to fulfil their promise to effect a reform of the Upper House, eaid the Go* vemmenb were returned on two issues— direct taction and Council reform. They had carried one, and intended to carry the other. It the Council again threw oab the Reform Bill they would appeal to the country.

THE SEWER FATALITY, SiDNEf, April '28, Macpherson'a body has also been fonhd floating in the harbour. Ab the inquest the evidence showed that the men wen several times warned of their danger, bat delayed making their escape from , the sewer. THE DISPUTE IK THE BOOT TRADE, Adelaide, April 28. the Bootmakers' Union have decided te apen a Co-operative Factory to find work for the strikere. They have received large offers of support. WEST AUSTRALIAN ELECTIONS. Perth, April 28. The first batch of Parliamentary notnio* tioha havt closed. Several Ministerialists, including Mr. Thrbssel, Minister for Lands, and Mr. Alexander Forrest, are returned unoppoeedi SUPPOSED SERIES OF MURDERS. Adelaide, April 28. Ab thd ihqueat on Richards), found shot by Beard, who was committed for trial, the suspicion was strengthened that Mstlo, Another mate of Beard, meb the same fate as Kiciiarda. LAfKH. A Watch belonging to a Chinaman who was ab one time Beard's mite has been found in the letter's possession. lW Cbinatritn is euppoeed to be anotht* victim:

ME INCOME TAX. Melbourne, April 38. Mr. Justice Hood has decided that iacotne arising frdih Investments in Victorian floVernthent) debentures in the name of a perdon resident iti the Colony, ate hob liable to income tax. STARVING MINERS. Cootio*s April 28* . latest Reports from New Guinea stah that) besides a number of deaths froa fetir (many miners ire literally starring, and it ie impossible to transport stone. tfiE Wreck op a barque. Sydnb*, April )». Tot underwriters have abandoned tbe btrqai Adderlejr, and she has been aoid m •be lies, embedded In the sahd. tWO GIRLS POISONED. '~,„■ . ' iibaiii, April 28. . T#d little girls Hained : fletlgecock hire .died at Hiiliton from drinking a eolation of , rabbit poison. : . ' . ;. r