AUSTRALIAN.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1249, 6 February 1896, Page 36

AUSTRALIAN.

) Sydney, January 29. In an accident at Moonee Valley races, a jockey named Matthews was killed, and another named Nicholas seriously injured. The Labour Conference lias adopted the following as a platform for the Federation of the colonies : Federal franchise on the basis of one adult one vote ; a Federal Parliament, to consist of the House of Representatives, elected on the basis of single electorates, and a second Chamber, to be called the State Council, elected directly by the people of each colony on the basis of population, each colony to vote as one constituency ; the power of the second Chamber to veto measures to be limited, and the House of Representatives to have the sole power of initiating and amending money Bills ; payment of members, elective Ministers, direct initiation of legislation by the people in conjunction with the Referendum, and a provision against an influx into Federal territory of all alien races. The wreck of the Wolluinbin is attributed to an error of the compasses. Sydney, January 30. In connection -with the accident to the Miowera, Mr Cook, Postmaster - General, states that the Vancouver line has forfeited £llOO to the New South Wales Government during" t!;e last three years on account of the late delivery of mails, and he recognises the promoters' service in fighting a very uphill game.

At thfc half-yearly meeting of the Joint

Stock Bank, the balance-sheet and report were adopted, declaring a dividend of four per cent., and carrying forward £2635. Rebecca Dean, sister of the notorious George Dean, has been sent to a lunatic asylum.

Sydney, January 31

A deputation representing the colliery owners and the Minors' Association in the Newcastle district waited on the Premier and urged him to hake action to end the present deplorable condition of the coal trade. They suggested the passing o*r. a Bill to fix the sale price of coal, which would be legally binding on all colleries, and would prevent under cutting. Mr Reid, in reply, said it was a startling and difficult proposition, and ho thought it impossible to legislate to control prices. All he could say at present was that he would take an early opportunity of inviting the colliery proprietors to meet him and discuss what was best to be done in the matter. If he could help them on legitimate lines he would be glad to do so. The Premier, replying to a deputation, promised that one of the first measures introduced next session will be a Bill to deal effectually with the coloured labour question. The Minister for Lands will shortly leave for Norfolk Island to enquire into affairs ) there prior to its probable early annexation : and administration by the New South Wales ' Govorment. j F.thel Wright, the Gunnedah girl who accused her uncle and another man of attomping to poison her, pleaded guilty to a charge of perjury, and has been sentenced to four years' imprisonment. A fire broke out last night on the ship Thistlebank, but was extinguished without much damage. A more serious conflagration broke out on the same vessel to-night about the same time and place. The outbreak was most mysterious. On this occasion the fire burnt fiercely for two hours before it was got under control. The extent of the damage is unknown. _, Sydney, February 3. The German warship Falke, from New Guinea, reports that ±±err Otto Ehlers, the well-known German explorer, traversed the island from north to south, and when within a few miles of Port Moresby was drowned in crossing a river. A telegram from Noumea records the murder of M. Aubertin, a well-known French resident, by some unknown assassin. There were ten stabs on the body. Johnston, who was sentenced to three years' imprisonment on a charge of perjury in connection with the Butler divorce case (which occasioned a good deal of controversy and led to a charge of conspiracy), has been released from custody. He had served about one year, and his release was brong-lr^i.hout persistent agitation. Itt^. and, nW^M decree^^M o a ri^^^n^tfi

ducting herself. Butler and Davis were sentenced to seven years' imprisonment and Peake to four years'. The railway revenue for the December quarter decreased by £72,000 as compared with the corresponding quarter of IS9L The expenditure over the like period decreased by £12,700. The decrease in the revenue for the half-year was £35,000. The Marine Board has suspended the certificate of Captain Boyles, of the collier Aldinja, for three months. The Board lias also found that the loss of the Wollumbin was caused by the default of the mate, Mr Mays. Brisbane, January 29.

The passengers by the Glanworth presented the stewardess, Mrs Krensen, with an address and a purse of sovereigns, in recognition of her bravery. The captain has abandoned all hope of saving the steamer.

Brisbane, January 31

The mails on board the lost steamer Glanworth have been recovered. The captain asserts that he implicitly followed the directions for entering the harbour, and the ship grounded through the guiding lights not Falling on the water where they are supposed to fall, so as to keep the vessel clear of obstacles. The pilot crew confirms the captain's statement.

The report of the Queensland National Bank directors has been adopted. "Newcastle, January 29.

The Seaham Colliery, which was hermetically sealed some months ago, owing to an outbreak of fire in the workings, lias been reopened, and the fire is found to be still smouldering. The burning portion of the mine is being walled off. Melbourne, January 29.

Within a few da3 r s the National Bank of Australasia and the Bank of Victoria intend to realise a considerable portion of their deferred deposits. The amount realised in each case will be about £1,000,000, of which £200,000 is payable in London. At the Cy cling Carnival, the Great Wheel Race, two miles, resulted: —H. Hourigan, 110yds, 1; J. Carpenter, 120yds, 2; D. Grantor, 190yds, 3. A close _ finish, won by half a wheel. Time, 4min 33 3-ssec. Parsons started from scratch, but could not make up the handicap. Pither was scratched.

Melbourne, January 30. William Kittle, late manager of Lightfoot's Nurmurkah flour mills, has been arrested on charges of stealing wheat. The farmers were allowed to store large quantities of wheat at the mill, and 5000 bags, valued at several thousands of pounds, were discovered to be missing. The proprietor of the mill was unable to meet the claims for loss, and had to file his schedule in bankruptcy. The losers then proceeded against Kittle, who was unable to satisfactorily account for the shortage. Melbourne, January 31. The Legislative Council has passed the Federal Bill. The Broken Hill Proprietary Company will pay its 104th Is dividend on the 19th February. Melbourne, February 1. The Bank of Victoria announces to-day that it will on 14th. May pay off the whole of the deferred deposits. On the same date the National Bank of Australasia will release one-fifth of the deposits of the creditors of the old National Bank. This will reduce the deferred obligations of both institutions to something over £-1,000,000. Since the reconstructions in 1893 the total reduction of deferred liabilities, including the present payments, have been —National Bank, £3,500,000; Bank of Victoria, £2,500,000. The half-yearly report of the Laud and Mortgage Bank of Victoria shows a net loss of £3S4O. The general manager has been sent to London to confer with the debentureholders and try to arrange for a reduction in the rate of interest. A commission of mining experts sent out by the Emperor of Germany to enquire into the mining resources of Australia has examined the West Australian fields, and after visiting the mining centres in Victoria, will proceed to Now Zealand. Splendid mining returns continue to be obtained in the Oraeo district. At the Anaconda mine a recent crushing' has yielded G3soz from 223 tons stone. During the fortnight loOOoz have bjen obtained, the result of a crushing from the TJnited Brothers' claim. Adelaide, January 31. The revenue of the colony for the December quarter increased by £105,500 as compared with the corresponding quarter of 1894. The expenditure for the like period shows a decrease of £11,500. Adelaide, February 3. The will of the late Lady Jervois was mentioned in the Courts this week. Her property in this colony, valued at £15.000, is left to her husband and children. Perth, February 1. An immense formation lias been discovered west of Black Flag. A reef 10 chains wide has been traced for five miles. The original prospectors, Williams Bros., from New Zealaad, have sold 21 acres of ground for .£3OOO. Certified assays of the stone, taken from a depth of 66ft, give from 12dwt to 15720 z to the ton. Hobart, January 29. H.M.S. Penguin has arrived from the Bluff. Hobart, January 31. At the half-yearly meeting of the Bank of Van Dicmen's Land, the report showed the liabilities to be £297,000, as compared with | .£350,000 for the previous half-year. The

liquidators stated that they hoped soon to be able to submit satisfactory terms to the shareholders for a cash composition with the creditors.

Hob art, February 3. The weather is very cold. Mount Wellington is covered with snow.

Thursday Island, January 31. News by the mail states that while foreign residents were taking part in the sports at the American Mission Station at lehang on December ISth, a Customs official was accidentally wounded by a bullet irom an air-gun. The accident caused great commotion among the Chinese. The British Consul and others were stoned, and the mission property damaged, while the Church of Scotland mission station was also threatened.

Ladies and children were placed on board the steamers for safety, and order was not restored till a large force of bluejackets were landed from a British warship. Native soldiers were quartered throughout the settlement, and an official circular issued, counselling the people to preserve peace.

The mail steamer brings news that the Japanese cruiser Kopei (formerly the Chinese cruiser Kowng Pit:g) was wrecked near tho Pescadores Islands during- December, and 30 of the crew were drowned