AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1190, 21 December 1894, Page 36

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

* Melbourne, December 13. Mr Murphy has given notice of a motion in the Legislative Assembly that- iu view of the stringent retrenchment which has now been undertaken, the Premier be instructed to communicate with the Secretary of State for the Colonies so that no new Governor shall be appointed for the time being. . The second reading of the Land and Income Tax Bill was carried in the Legislative Assembly by 48 to 36. The Government hopes to open trade with Japan in . live cattle, butter, cheese, fruit, wine . and probably wool. It is intended to discuss the matter at the meeting of Premiers in Hobart. A phenomenal crushing is reported from, a claim at Rockewood Junction, where 50 pounds of quartz yielded 112 ounces . of gold, and 32 tons of stone from the same claim yielded 807 ounces of gold. Sydney, December 13. -Day and Bollman have been sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment for defrauding the firm in Germany whom they represented. Bollman was brought back from Canada. The frauds involved the firm in . a loss of <£l2oo. The Bankruptcy Act Amendment Bill, which has been introduced in the Legislative Council, provides that a certificate of discharge does not release the bankrupt from liability under a judgment of the Court in cases for seduction, libel, or slander, or as respondent or “co-respondent in a divorce suit. Sydney, December 14. Drs Rougier and Momort, two local medical men—-the latter a nephew of Dr Roux—expect to have a new diphtheria cure ready for use in a fortnight. They are extracting the serum from calves, the latter being cheaper than hprses. ■ The Legislative Assembly sat continu- ’ ously for 32 hours discussing the Estimates. Very few reductions were made. ■ A return asked for in the Legislative . Assembly showing the retrenchment made by the late Ministry shows that on the plea of retrenchment 372 officers were dismissed, while 1578 were appointed. The report has caused a-mild sensation. Sydney, December 17.

The Government are considering whether they will follow Victoria’s example and give notice in connection with the cable guarantee. If the latter colony is determined to back out, Hew South Wales will probably do so too. The captain of* the Gwydir, which recently became a total wreck, has had his certificate Suspended for six months. "M .'The Seaham Colliery has. notified a reduction to 2s lOd, and the New Lambton mine to Is 9d. -

Sydney, December 18,

In committee upon the military Estimates, Sir G. R. Dibbs said that MajorGeneral Hutton, commandant, came to the colony -with strong ideas about Imperialism and militarism,, and under the impression that he was next to the Governor. He came with the "expressed determination of wiping out old officers, and, getting Imperial officers .instead. The Government should prevent him flooding the colony with such officers. • *. The Premier, in reply, said the trouble with Major-General Hutton arose between a highly irascible gentleman, in the person of the ex-Premier, and a highly independent, gentleman at the head of the forces. It was impossible for a civilian to dominate a department about which he knew nothing. The Government was willing to make reductions. -The Assembly has passed the Standard Time Bill. Adelaide, December 13. O wing to the inability to pay interest on the debt, it is expected the deficit of the Northern Territory for the current vear will swell t0£354,000. Adelaide, December 15. > The Colonial Treasurer laid on the table of the Legislative Assembly an agreement made with the Bank of Australasia, Union Bank' of Australia, Bank of Adelaide, Bank of New Zealand and Commercial Bank, for banking Government moneys not in excess of <£750,000. The business is to be equally divided between the banks mentioned, and interest allowed on the monthly balance at the rate of 1 per cent, below the rate given to the public for 12 months’ deposits.

Adelaide, December 34

In the Legislative Assembly the Colonial'Treasurer stated that the Government would not contribute towards the defence of Thursday Island until the Queensland Government agreed to assist in defraying the cost of protecting the Port Darwin cables. Adelaide, December 15. The Government has informed the Legislative Assembly that it will not attempt to pass the State Advances and Consolidation Loan Bills this session. Ministers expect to prorogue Parliament by Friday next. Brisbane, December. 15. The Hon T. J. Byrnes, Attorney-General, has left on a visit to New Zealand, and goe3 thence to the Federal Council.