AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11949, 25 April 1902, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

By Telegraph.—Press Association.—Copyright. GOLD FOR SOUTH AFRICA. Melbourne, April 24. The steamer Aberdeen has shipped 200,000 sovereigns for South Africa. , THE PLAGUE. Brisbane, April 24. One case of plague was reported yesterday. (Received April 25, 12.28 a.m.) Sydney, April 24. One case of plague was reported to-day. Some more animals in the Zoo have succumbed to plague. THE FEDERAL PARLIAMENT. Melbourne, April 24. The Federal House has accepted most of the Senate's amendments in the Public Service Bill.

The Franchise Bill, which extends the franchise to women, was read a second time by 29 votes to six. TATTERSALL'S SWEEPS. Melbourne, April 24. A representative of Tattersall's waited on the Secretary of the Postal Department, and stated that his principal did not intend to try and cany on operations through the post office, but was taking other steps to conduct sweeps. A LIFE SENTENCE. (Received April 24, 10 p.m.) Sydney, April 24. Howling, who shot his wife at Mac Lean in January last, has been found guilty of manslaughter, and sentenced to penal servitude for life. SENSATIONAL OCCURRENCE IN MELBOURNE. MEUiounNK, April 24. Lieutenant-Colonel Joseph, a well-known electrical engineer, was found dead in his office to-day. A man named Williams, who was attempting to restore animation, dashed a glass of liquid, which was standing on a table, into Joseph's face. Shortly after Williams collapsed and died. It is believed the glass contained prussic acid, and that Williams was overpowered by the fumes. . (Received April 25, 12.28 a.m.) Melbourne, April 24. Evidence points to the fact that Joseph committed suicide by taking prussic acid. j The post-mortem disclosed that Williams' death was caused by the bursting of a blood vessel on the brain, the result of sudden excitement. THE WRECK OF THE FEARLESS. (Received April 25, 1.2 a.m.) Sydney, April 24. The Titus brought the crew of the schooner Fearless, wrecked at San Christoval. All were saved. They spent five weeks on the island before they were rescued. They suffered from fever and experienced considerable trouble with the natives. THE PEARLING INDUSTRY. (Received April 25, 12.28 a.m.) Brisbane, April 24. The Police Magistrate at Thursday Island reports that many prominent residents have left for Meroukc, in Dutch New Guinea, to select sites with a view to the transference of tho pearling industry. (Received April 25, 1.2 a.m.) Melbourne, April 24. In the Federal House, Mr. Barton, as the result of reports that the pearling companies intended to move their headquarters to Dutch New Guinea, announced that an exhaustive inquiry would be made. He would not be a party to abrogating any provision of the Aliens Restriction Act, but desired to prevent any foreign Power getting virtual possession of our pearling industry.