AUSTRALIAN.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1250, 13 February 1896, Page 36

AUSTRALIAN.

SyLiNey, February 5. Tho IrTinistex 1 of Mines to-day formally opened the conference of delegates from ail the mining centres, which has been convened with a view to amending the mining laws and suggesting methods of developing *he mineral resources of the colony. The Minister said the Government intended to introduce legislation to extend tho privileges of miners, especially in regard to opening private lauds and the acquirement of mining leases on more favourable terms. He strongly advocated tho testing of reefs at deep levels, and said he was convinced that the results would equal those obtained in Victoria.

Reports from Western New Guinea reveal the prevalence of terrible drought. There is a scarcity of food, and the native teachers belonging to the missions are in dire need.

The enquiry in connection With the tires on the ship Tbistlebank threw no light on the outbreak.

Three men have been arrested at Murwilluwhah with a large quantity of spurious silver coins and 10 counterfeit sovereigns in. their possession. Sydney, February 1. In accordance with the promise given to the recent deputation, the Premier met a number of Newcastle coal owners and talked over the condition of the coal trade, with a view to ascertain, and if possible amend, the present state of affairs. '1 he owners made statements that the majority of pits had not been paying dividends f r a long tbnc, and many were being worked at a loss." It was possible, if a combination could be agreed upon amongst the coalowners, including those in the southern district. to raise the price a shilling per ton without seriously injuring trade, but it was impossible to maintain one standard price, as thi iloal was of different qualities. The proposal that the Government should assume the control and tix the vend price was out of the question. If the price were raised one shilling per ton, the miners in the bulk of the pits would, receive dff increase of 3d iter ton in the hewing rate. Mr Reid, replying, said he saw the collieries were not great capitalistic monopolies, and the position of the miners was not as hard as that of the shareholders, w}> o get nothing. It came, he. said, to tins —that the owners were doing their best to retain the trade till it assumed a healthier tee.

The Premier, replying to a deputation in favour of Womanhood Suffrage, said he was with the supporters of the movement on all points except that the measure should be introduced next session. The Cabinet was not unanimous! on the msitter, and it was too great d question for any man to surrender his private opinion on. Another difficulty was that it had never been placed before the country as a distinct issue. He suggested that if the Government failed them, they should get some private champion to introduce the measure. SvD 'TEY, February 8. Owe of the survivors of the wreck of HALS. Orpheus on Manukau Bar, Edward Amphlett, late Paymaster of imperial Pensions at Sydney, is dead. Brisbane, February 5. Destructive floods have occurred in the Clermont district. Two brothers named Hatfield and two stockmen, McLean and llea-11, have been drowned. Great damage to drops has resulted from the floods, and the railway has been washed away in several places. The river at Rockhampton continues to rise. A serious dispute took place at a hotel at Mount Morgan. Butler, the landlord, fired two gunshots at a parly of men who Wore drinking in the house, ai\d \Voitn<led two of thorn, while third mail was severely injured l>y a blow from a tomahawk. Butler has boon arrested.

As a result of negotiations, the three passenger lines running on the Queensland coast- hare assimilated their passenger and tariff rates.

Adelaide, February 5. The charge against Way Lee and his wife of having detained a Chinese girl was dismissed without the accused being called on for their defence.

Adelaide, February G

The State Advances to Settlors Act came into operation on the Ist inst. Yesterday the Government appointed the following Trustees: —Messrs Addison, Spence, Johnson, Inglls and Staunton, 'j lie first three are into>ested in commercial pursuits, and tho others are country farmers. Adelaide, February 7.

Sir Edwin Smith. M.L.C., who was the chief promoter of the Adelaide Jubilee Exhibition, has presented the people of Norwood, of which town he has been five times Mayor, -’itli a collection of pictures valued at .£2009. Perth, February G.

No less than 820 persons arrived at Fremantle yesterday. Owing to the scarcity of lodgings many hundreds were camped on tho beach and in the parks. Considerable apprehension is felt owing to the congested state of the railway and telegraphic services. One suggestion to overcome the latter difficulty quickly is to lay a cable between Albany and Adelaide.

Melbourne, February 7

At a meeting of the shareholders of the Commercial Bank, the Chairman said the disappointing amount of profits was largely due to the legacy of 4A per cent, deposits created under the reconstruction scheme. It was impossible to continue to pay such big interest, and the directors had decided to consult the depositors forthwith, asking them to agree to modify the conditions and reduce the rate of interest. The report was adopted.

Melbourne, February 8. Tho landlady of a hotel in Fitzroy, in her evidence before the Lorimer Charges Board, admitted that she saw Mr Rappiport, J.P., who promised to do his best for her, and get some of his friends to attend the Court. She gave him nothing, but gave Mrs Rappiport two sovereigns. The Legislative Assembly passed an amendment of the Post Office Act enabling the authorities to stop the delivery of letters addressed to sweep promoters outside the colony. H. Champion has been committed for trial for criminal libel, for statements in his paper known as The Champion, charging Mr O’Halloran, solicitor, with dishonesty as a racing man.

Hobart, February 5. The girl Brown has withdrawn the charge against Davidson, whom she accused of an intention to drug her in a railway carriage. Rockhampton, February 9. The river continues to rise steadily, and almost the whole town is now awash.

Steamers have been sent up the river to relieve the flooded residents.

It is reported that great damage lias been done at Mount Morgan.

Sydney, February 1; 1

New passenger tariffs have been adopted, and it is understood they will be made to apply to the trade from Sydney round to Adelaide as well as to Queensland. The companies interested are the A.U.S.N. Co., Adelaide Steam Shipping Co., and Howard Smith and Co. The rates are of a differential character, the first-class steamers 20 per cent, above those of the second-class, and 30 per cent, above the third-class boats; the steerage rates are the same for all classes. The new tariffs, however, show a general advance upon those hitherto in

The captain of the Rotoruabana repoi'ts speaking the overdue barquentine River Hunter off Cape Maria Van Diemen on otk February. She had been driven out to sea by heavy gales, and her master asked to be reported all well.

A severe thunderstorm occurred at Coolabah, and Sin of rain fell. A big flood followed, and the railway line was washed away in several places* traffic being stopped. Splendid raiiis have fallen throughout the country. Between five and seven hundred points fell in the Clarence district. The rivers are rising, and floods are feared; Melbourne, February 10. The Railway Bill, after being emasculated by the Legislative Assembly, fell upon troublous times in the Council, where Sir Frederick Sargood moVed ail amendment — which was carried by 27 to 4—for the reinstatement of the clause creating a trust, which the House had excised. The importer of the case of acids which is supposed to have caused the fire on the steamer Cintra has been fined =£2o for shipping it without pl'oper precautions. The captaiii of the steamer has been fined d£ls for carrying such goods otherwise than

on the upper deck. A labourer named J oseph Neil has been arrested for the supposed murder of a man named William McKays whose body was fcHiiid iii a street in Carlton with a stab in the side. Neil, whose clothes were bloodstained, states that he and McKay were going home together at night drunk, when they were assaulted by four men. Neil was knocked down and rendered unconscious, and when he Caiiie to his senses he foiiiid McKay by his side.