AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12457, 30 December 1903, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

By Telegraph.— A saociation.—Copyright CRICKET. (Received December 30, 1.10 a.m.) • Melbourne, December 29. The test match team was not picked at » late hour to-night. It is understood that the Selection Committee is delaying th» final selection to see if McLeod keeps up his form. Possibly he will, be chosen in tho place of either Hopkins or Saunders. It? . is expected that Trumblo will displace Layer. (Received December 29, 9.50 p.m.) Sydney, December 29. N<w South Wales' second innings closed at 180. The principal scores were : Carter 38, Diamond 39, Pye 32, Black 31. Queensland lost two wickets for 172 Patrick 56, Foster (not out) 69. Melbourne, December 29. Tho weather was dull and the wicket sodden. Tlio Victorians in their first innings made 312Trumble. 80, McLeod (not out) 30. In, the second innings they have lost no wickets for 29. The hew South Wales team in their first innings made 183 Duff 41, Kelly 31, Trumper 43. McLeod took seven wickets for 34 inns. THE REFERENDUM. (Received December 2.9, 11.55 p.m.) , Sydney, December 29. As the referendum returnr continue to." come, in the majority foi the reduction of members to 90 increases. : Probably Parliament will meet early in February, for the purpose of giving effect to the referendum ill* time for the general elections in July. The Labour party has been an uncompromising opponent to any reduction, and rumours are current that there are developments, iii view of the delay of the redistribution of seats, necessitated by the referendum.; These include the suggestions that the Labour party may go into direct opposition) to Sir John See and Mr. Carrutbers' or face a dissolution over the distribution* which means an election on the old basis af. 125 members.

THE ENGLISH CRICKETERS. Sydney, December 29.' In the cricket match, the English beam t«i ■ Bendigo, rain stopped the play yesterday*, Bendigo in their second innings had seven;, wickets down for 64. Green contributed • 25. The match was drawn. . j AN IMMIGRANT'S CLAIM.. Sydney, December 29. ) Stalling has issued a writ against Ul4f Federal Government claiming £1000 as dan** ages for alleged false imprisonment.. A BRAVE GIRL DROWNED. ; Melbourne, December 29. ; An eleven-year-old girl named Roy, aftcaf rescuing her brother," was drowned witW her sister, whom sne was also attempting id. rescue. VOLUNTARY LIQUIDATION. Sydney, December 29. A meeting of the shareholders of a larg* firm of produce merchants decided to voluntarily liquidate. The trouble has beea/ ! caused by the firm's large importations of American wheat, flour, and maize, and »' ! subsequent fall in prices. -