AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1118, 4 August 1893, Page 33

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Sydney, July 27. The Premier, speaking at Aberdeen, made a further announcement as tc Government intentions, the most important of which was a plan to raise by a hospital rate a sum of L 250,000 per annum. He said the Government would not shirk the questions of Protection and Federation.

The Minister for Education has announced that after the end of the year the school fee for children over 14 years will be raised to Is per week. The railway and the tramway returns for the year show a profit, after paying all expenses, of one million two hundred and twenty thousand pounds. The death is announced of the Rev Inglis, Presbyterian divine, well-known in Victoria and New Zealand. Sydney, July 28.

The death is announced of the Rev Dr George Sutherland, who was a minister iu New Zealand 30 years ago. The Premier and his colleagues are said not to be entirely in accord as to the Premier’s recent utterances, especially in regard to payment of members. Sydney, July 31.

The Federation Conference, under the auspices of the lately-formed Australasian Federation League, assembled at Corowa to-day. A large number of delegates

and prominent men from Victoria were present. Sydney, August 1. The Marine Board has suspended for three months the certificate of Captain Phillipson, of the s s. Hilda, which was recently wrecked off Port Hackling. Messrs W. J. Lyne and Kidd represent the Government at the Corowa conference. ■ The Victorian visitors include Mr Patterson and Sir Graham Berry. Some apprehension was caused to day in town when news was received that the steamer Chingtu, a Chinese trader, was apparently drifting ashore near Richmond Heads., Subsequently it was learnt that the steamer had broken her shaft, but managed to anchor three miles off the shore. Owing to the heavy sea running, a tug which went to the assistance of the disabled vessel ran a great risk, but eventually succeeded in getting her in tow, and reached Bryon Bay. It is believed that the vessel will be taken to Brisbane. Melbourne, July 27. Sentence of death has been recorded against a man named Bryan O’Lochlen for burglary and maliciously wounding in South Melbourne. Melbourne, August 1, The trial of Sir M. Davies and Mr F. Millidge, in connection with the Mercantile Bank cases, has begun. Hobart, July 27. The flood waters in Inveresk aie receding slowly. Extreme misery and destitution have been caused. The shareholders of the Bank of Van Diemen’s Land have decided to dispose of the assets of the bank by lottery. Brisbane, July 27. 11.M.5. Goldfinch has arrived. The captain reports that he hoisted the British flag in various parts of the Solomon Islands. Adelaide, July 28. The live stock and agricultural statistics issued by the Agricultural Department for the year show an increase of 43 per cent in the acreage under wheat, and that vineyards have made remarkable progress. The early drought caused a decrease of 6’46 per cent in the sheep and cattle as compared with the previous year. Thursday Island, July 28. One of the small-pox patients is dead. Hobart, July 29. The Colonial Treasurer in his Financial Statement estimates the deficit at the end of the next year to be L 301,000. The new taxation includes an increase in the Customs duties, a land tax, probate duties, and an income tax with exemption of LIOO. The proposals have been well received, but it is considered that an appeal to the country is certain. Brisbane, July 31. Experts state that the canister which exploded on board the steamer Aramac was expressly constructed to contain an infernal machine.

The man Howard, who was arrested in connection with the outrage, has been remanded.

Perth, August 1. Scab has made its appearance amongst the sheep in the Swan district.