AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1107, 19 May 1893, Page 33

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Melbourne, May 11. Sir M. Davies and Milledge were committed for trial on the charge of conspiracy. Bail was fixed afc LIOOO each, and two sureties of LSOO each, Melbourne, May 15. Richard Dawson, stoker of H.M.S. Lizard, has died from injuries received. Melbourne, May 15. The manager of the English, Scottish and Australian Chartered Bank states that the cable message from London, announcing the proposed amalgamation of the bank with the London Chartered Bank, is incorrect. The creditors of the Metropolitan Bank have adopted the reconstruction scheme. Depositors in the Bank of Victoria are not satisfied with the directors' scheme, and have carried a motion that the scheme is unsatisfactory. The deDositors and the shareholders have appointed a committee to draft a new scheme. Melbourne, May 16. Richard Denis, another stoker on the Lizard, has died from the burns received in the recent accident. The railway revenue for the year is expected to show a deficiency of L 320,000. In connection with the recent highway robbery at Elsternwick the police have arrested three men and believe that they have unearthed an organised gang connected with many safe robberies in New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria. Adelaide, May 12. The Ministry has been re-arranged aa follows i—" Sir John Downer, Premier and Colonial Treasurer; Mr W. Copley, M. L. 0. Chief Secretary j Mr R. Homburg, At-

torney-General; Mr J. H. Howe, Commissioner of Crown Lands ; Mr J. Moule, Commissioner of Public Works ; Mr J. W. Castine, Minister of Agriculture and Education. Perth, May 12. Two more cases of small-pjx and one death are reported. Sydney, May 11. Mr Graham was adjudged guilty of contempt and placed under arrest. The House subsequently accepted his apology, and the Speaker having admonished him for his conduct, the incident ended. Sydney, May 12. H.M.S. Lizard experienced a heavy gale on her voyage. The draught in the stokehole forced the flames out of the furnace door. Chief Petty Officer Dawson and three stokers were seriously burned, their clothes being destroyed and faces burned beyond recognition. The sufferers were taken to the hospital. Leonard Ried has been committed for j trial for Savings Bank frauds. y . Sydney, May 13. Mr Barton assured a deputation from the Australian Natives' Association that the Government was pushing the Federation question as rapidly as possible, and it would ceriainly be.considered next session. Sydney, May 15. The Government proposes to amalgamate the Government Savings Bank and the Post Office Savings Bank. Sydney, May 15. The Commercial Banking Company of Sydney has suspended payment pending reconstruction. The decision was arrived at at a meeting of the directors this afternoon. The liabilities are over L 14,000,000, including L 11,444,000 of deposits. The assets include coin and bullion, Ll,702,000; advances, &o , L 11,016,000. The suspension has caused considerable surprise, as it was hoped that general confidence had been restored. The withdrawal of deposits has been steadily kept up, and over L 1,000,000 have been taken out of the bank during the last few days. A scheme for reconstructing the institution is under consideration. '' The Government and leading bankers had a conference to-day on the advisability of bringing the Bank Issue Bill into operation. No decision, however, was arrived at. Sydney, May 16. • The Archduke of Austria arrived this morninsr, and was visited by the ActingGovernor, the Mayor of Sydney, and the Admiral in charge of the Australian station. Brisbane, May 14. In the elections for 11 more seats, four Ministerial, one Opposition, one Independent, and five Labour candidates were returned. Mr J. Lissner, Minister for Mines and Works, was defeated by Mr Jackson, a Labour candidate. Mr Thomas Glassey was again defeated. Brisbane, May 15. • The Premier has received a letter from the Premier of New South Wales intimating that if the movement for the abolition of the border duties between Victoria and New South Wales assumes a definite shape, Queensland will be placed on the same basis as the other colonies. The Cabinet have decided to summon Parliament for the despatch of business on the 30th inst., when its sanction for the issue of Treasury bills will be asked. Brisbane, Mvy 15. The Queensland National Bank has suspended payment. Its libilities are L 10,622,970, including L 8,526,962 of. deposits. The assets include L 8,133,387 worth of advances and other due debts ; a150L106,395 worth of coin and bullion. The cause of the suspension is attributed to the continuous withdrawal of money in the London office. A scheme of reconstruction i 3 now under consideration. The Bank of North Queensland also has suspended, pending reconstruction. Its liabilities are L 651,303, including L 350,776 deposits. Its assets include, L 109,114 coin and bullion, and L 494,407 in advances. The Government are guaranteeing the notes of the National Bank. The Permanent Building and Benefit Society has suspended, owing to its banking with the Queensland National Bank. . .. Brisbane, May 16. Three dynamite bombs have been discovered in livery stables in the city. It is believed they have some connection with the elections.

Hobart, May 16. Parliament has been prorogued till 21st June.