AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1095, 24 February 1893, Page 34

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. 1 (press association.) Sydney, February 16. The Rev Mr Smith, who has been missing for some days, and who it was feared had been murdered, has been traced to Newcastle. The circumstances point to the suggestion that he has sailed for Chili. The Sandfly, formerly a gunboat iu the British Navy, has been" completely wrecked in the Solomon Islands group. The crew were saved. Sydney, February 17. In Committee of Ways and Means in the Legislative Assembly, a resolution iu favour of the introduction of an income tax produced an exciting debate. Mr Carruthers was proceeding to criticise the action of the Government, when Mr Crick, backed by five other members, called attention to the presence of strangers, and the galleries were cleared. Mr Carruthers moved that the report of the committee be taken into consideration after the House had been afforded a further opportunity of giving effect to the resolution passed in October last in favour of the imposition of direct taxation on land. He explained that this step was taken not with the view of opposing the income tax, but in order to bring about a land tax conjointly with it. The amendment was rejected by 53 to i 45, and the original resolution carried by 73 to 10. The Premier disclaimed any part in excluding the press. The Leader of the Opposition, in an interview, condemned tho action of tha Government in forcing the press and public to retire from the galleries of the Chamber when an important matter affecting the taxation of tho people was under consideration, and thus bringing about a secret Parliament. Mr Fergusson, proprietor of the Cumberland Times, has been committed for trial for criminal libel on Messrs Crick, Wellis, Alexander and Hutchison, members of the Legislative Assembly. The article complained of made charges of a disgraceful nature. News has been received of the wreck of the Auckland trader Jessie at Long Island, where she was loading guano. A hurricane drove the vessel ashore. The crew reached Noumea in a small yacht which the Jessie had taken to the islands. Sydney, February 19. Sir G. R. Dibbs states that he claimed no right respecting the appointment of a Governor, but expects to be informed of the selection before the final appointment, in order that he may inform the Secretary of State for the colonies whether the appointment would give satisfaction. Sydney, February 20. The Premier, Sir George Dibbs, has announced that he will not appeal to the country until the measures now before Parliament are dealt with. A rich gold reef has been discovered near Gundagai, on the Murrumbidgee. A piece of quartz lloz in weight yielded 6oz pure gold. Tho captain of the Auckland trader / Jessie, wrecked at Long Island, has arrived here. He repoits that they had j to land through a terrible surf. The ( vortex of the cyclone approaching the j vessel rendered this course necessary in I order to save life. The jetty was de- j molished, and a number of houses were ; completely blown away, The barquentine Bluster, bound for Port Chalmers, went ashore in a gale at Woolgoolga. Her crew are safe. Sailed —R.MS. Alameda, for San Francisco, via Auckland. Stanbury, the champion sculler of the world, who visits America to endeavour to arrange a series cf matches, is a passenger by her. Premier Dibbs has cabled to the Marquis of Ripon, Secretary of State for the Colonies, hoping that the name of the proposed Governor of New South Wales will be submitted to the Government before a final selection is made. A man named Smedley to-day stabbed his wife to death at Guirindi. Sydney, February 21. A cyclone has demolished three houses in the Tweed district. A large meeting, presided over by Sir Henry Parkes, carried a resolution requesting the dissolution of Parliament, and it was decided to forward a copy of the resolution to His Excellency the Governor. The Marine Board has found the captain of tho Ivilloe, which recently collided with the cruiser Ringarooma, responsible for the accident, and called upon him to show cause why his certificate should not be suspended. Melbourne, February 17. The Chamber of Commerce has carried a resolution in favour of commercial union of the colonies. Mr Service suggested the desirability of consulting the Trades Hall, which had immense power over the voters'fiowards bringing about commercial union. Melbourne, February 18. Tho shareholders cf tho Federal Bank have resolved to go into voluntary liquidation. Melbourne, February 20. On Saturday a small steamer, with 100 picnickers on board, foundered on Lake Y/endouree, but all on board were saved.

Melbourne, February 21. A writ has been issued against the committee of the South Melbourne Building Society that held office during Mr Larkins’ management, claiming half a million sterling as damages for alleged negligence. 'Destructive bush fires are again raging, causing heavy losses in the crops, stock and buildings. Brisbane, February 17. Mr Wragge, Government Meteorologist, predicts squally and unsettled ■weather between south and west between Gabo Island and New Zealand. If the drought continues in Central Queensland for another two months, most of the stock will be dead. Port Darwin, February 16. Eight aboriginals have been sentenced to death on a charge of murdering a party of Malays. Perth, February 21. A squatter named Glass, living near Northampton, shot his two daughters dead and poisoned himself, because one of them, encouraged by the other, decided to marry against his wish.