AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Mail, 30 December 1892, Page 37

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

By Eleotbic Telegraph.—Copyright.

(PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Melbourne, December 21

The Colonial Treasurer has introduced a Bill in the Legislative Assembly to raise L 750,000 by the issue of Treasury bills, payable in three, four and five years at 4i per cent. He stated that the estimate made in July last had been completely falsified, owing to the unpredented shrinkage in the purchasing pDwer of the people. For the first five months of the financial year the revenue had fallen short of the estimate by L407,Q00, including the railway receipts, which were L 192,000 under the estimate. It was not opportune at present, the Treasurer explained, to impose fresh taxation. The Bill was passed through all its stages. Melbourne, December 22.

The Broken Hill Proprietary Company has declared a dividend of 2s per share, and inaugurated a reserve fund, beginning with L 50.000. Melbourne, December 23.

It is believed that during the reces3 the reconstruction of the Ministry will take place, Mr Shiels, the Premier, being tired of office. The committee which was appointed to investigate the affairs of the English and Australian Mortgage Company have discovered that the reserve, which was set down at L 227,000, only existed on paper; while the alleged paid up capital, amounting to L3OOO (?) had also disappeared. It is expected that the whole of the uncalled capital, L 250,000, will be required to be called up, but of that amount not more than L 50,000 can be reckoned on' to be paid. Deposits made during February totalled L 805,000, and it is estimated that of this amount fully L 225,000 will be lost to the depositors. The investigations into the affairs of a similar institution are approaching completion, and it is expected that when the report of the committee is made, decisive steps will be taken against the officials. The Victorian R.ilway Commissioners have entered into a contract for the supply of 3000 tons of Korrumburra coal per month, it being their desire to experiment as to the suitableness of the coal for steaming purposes, with the view to its use on the Victorian lines. Hitherto Newcastle coal has been exclusively used. Melbourne, December 24. A representative of the Argus, who travelled iucognito through the Solomon Group investigating the Kanaka traffic, sums up his experience by saying that many British subjects would envy the lot of the Kanaka labourer in Queensland. Probate has been granted of Deeming's will. The value of his estate is stated at LSO. Melbourne, December 27. An outrigger and skiff came into collision in the upper Yarra to-day, the occupants being thrown into the water. Three young men named Tipper, Palmer and Neck were drowned. Sydney, December 21. Mr G. H. Reid, Leader of the Opposition, moved a vote of censure on the Government to-night, and the debate is proceeding. It is expected to conclude on Friday. Sydney, December 22. At a further inquest in connection with the baby farming cases, the jury returned a verdict of wilful murder against John and Sarah Makin. The inquest was on Amber Murray's child. The prisoners were committed for trial. The prohibition agaiust the importation of sheep from New Zealand will be removed as soon as the new regulations are issued.

Ross and seven others, who were concerned in the boxing match in which Stewart, the pugilist, was killed, have been committed for trial on a charge of manslaughter. The jury added a rider expressing the opinion that the persons responsible for allowing the glove contests were deserving of the severest censure. Ross was Stewart's opponent, and the other accused were the proprietor of the hall, the seconds, and officials. The Hon Daniel O'Connor, M.L.C , has sequestrated his estate, and resigned his seat in the Council. His liabilities are set down at L 30,000, and his assets at L 36,000. A young man named John Wright, living at Tichborne, near Parkes, shot his sweetheart, Annie Wylie, and then committed suicide. Miss Wylie's wound i 3 not likely to prove fatality. Jealousy was the cause of the act. Sydney, December 23. The division on Mr Reid's motion of censure was taken late this morning, after an all night sitting, the result being —For the motion, 61; against, 68 ; majority for the Government, 7. The Labour representatives voted with the Government.

At a banquet, Mr Reid, Leader of the Opposition, in responding to a toast, said that, as long as Sir Henry Parkes was alive, he was willing to follow his leadership, and ready to accept the humblest position in the party ranks. John Oartwright, who has taken a prominent part in Unionism and labour agitations, has been arrested in connection with the shooting of bullocks belonging to a squatter named Moore, near Tamworth. It is alleged that the outrage was committed in revenge for Moore severing his connection with the Carriers' Union,

In voting on Mr Reid's motion of cen sure on the Dibbs' Government, the Labour members were divided, half of them voting for the motion and half against it. Eight members of the House paired, and three did not vote. A rumour wa3 circulated in the lobbies that the Government had half promised the Labour party, in return for their support, to mitigate the sentences passed on the Broken Hill strike leaders, but when Ministers were taxed about the rumour they indignantly denied that any such promise had ever been given. Mr J. Inglis, member for New England, while skylarking in the smoking room, fell and broke one of his ribs. Lord Jersey has issued a minute refusing to remit the sentences in connection with the Broken Hill strike. Sydney, December 24. The Premier says he will stick to the measures now before the House night after night, until they are in the Statute Book. Then it will be time enough to bring forward new Party issues. Sydney, December 26. The body of a seaman named Harry Boarer has been picked up at sea. Bower left Sydney in the ketch Agnes Rose on Friday for Port Stephens, and it is feared the vessel has been lost with all hands.

The steamer Guthrie, which has arrived from Hong Kong, brings news of a disastrous fire at Shin Kuf uicho, in Japan, on November 11th. Before the flames were extinguished 625 houses were totally destroyed, and a number of others damaged, while several fireman were killed by the falling debris. Newspapers by the steamer also contain accounts of an outrage by pirates, 200 of whom attacked and burned the village of Nagotua. They looted the buildings occupied by Europeans, and roasted three Annamites alive. A number of men were wounded in meeting the attack, and women and children were carried off. The Europeans escaped with their lives.

A half-deck boat named lolanthe* was upset in the harbour this afternoon under the South Head. A picnic party of 24 belonging to the sect known as Christians were on board. Seventeen were saved. Two were drowned, and five are missing. Those drowned are Lizzie Grazer, aged 17, and David McGregor, aged 6. The missing are Colin Armour, Charlotte Crouchier, John McGregor, Daisy Dunlop and Louis Cowper. Five of those rescued have been removed to the Hospital,

Sydney, December 27.

At the inquest on the bodies of those drowned yesterday by the capsize of the yacht lolanthe, a verdict of accidental death was returned, but the jury added a rider condemning the practice of young men taking out women and children in the harbour in sailing boats. Adelaide, December 22. Mr Munro, Agent-General for Victoria, on passing through here, declined to be interviewed, stating that he was practically on a holiday trip. Eleven of the crew of the barque Sammennell, bound from Rio de Janeiro to Port Chalmers, have been sentenced to 12 weeks' imprisonment for refusing to obey the lawful commands of the captain. The men asserted that the vessel was not seaworthy. Adelaide, December 24. The barque Samuel Mendall, bound from Rio de Janeiro to Otago, which put in here owing to the crew refusing duty on the grounds that the vessel was unseaworthy, secured a fresh crew, and has resumed the voyago. The survey of the vessel shows that she is in a satisfactory condition.

Adelaide, December 24

There is great excitement in the city over a quarrel between Mr Kingston, a member of the House, and Mr Baker, a member of the Legislative Council, and a duel was at one time feared. The cause of the trouble was a letter that Mr Baker had written to the Trades and

Labour Council. Mr Kingston criticised the letter from his place in the House. Mr Baker spoke iu the Council in reply, calling Mr Kingston a bully and coward, and saying he had been found guilty of telling untruths. Mr Kingston sent a letter to Mr Baker, and also a packet containing a revolver and cartridges, and challenged Mr Baker to meet him in front of the Town Hall at 1.30 p.m. yesterday. Both kept the appointment, but the police arrested and detained Mr Kingston. Mr Baker refused to prefer a charge against him, and he was released, The Attorney-General has the matter under consideration, with a view to taking further proceedings. Adelaide, December 26. Mr Baker, M.L.C, having declined to sign an information" against Mr Kingston, M L.A., in connection with the recent challenge to a duel, the matter has been allowed to drop.