AUSTRALIAN.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1262, 7 May 1896, Page 30

AUSTRALIAN.

Sydxev, May 5. Tho Chess Championship of Australasia has boon won by Mr Wallace, of New South Wales, who beat Mr Hodgson, of Victoria, by seven games to one, one other being drawn. j|The Civil Service Board has completed the reorganisation of tho Chief Secretary's department. A saving of ,£20,000 per annum has boon effected. Melbourne, May 5. In tho libel action brought by Mr James Minims against tho Argus to recover .£IO,OOO damages for the statement it made in reference to the affairs of tho Premier Permanent Building Society, the plaintiff admitted in cross-examination that his personal transactions wore of onormoii3 magnitude ; also, that when tho crash came after the laud boom his liabilities wore about .£1,000,000 sterling, and ho got rid of .£700,000 worth by throwing contracts upon tho hands of the vendors. Chief Justico Way, tho Masonic Grand Master of South Australia, installed Lord Brassey last night as Grand Master of Victoria. The ceremony, which took place at tho Town Hall, was a most imposing one. The Government has decided to grant 20 university exhibitions annually in connection with the public schools. Adelaide, May 5. Yet another expedition to Central Australia is on tho tapis. A party consisting of about fivo men and 20 camels is to be despatched under tho auspices of tho local branch of the Eoyal Geographical Society, and under the leadership of Mr Wells, of the Elder expedition. They will finish the work of tho latter parly. Baron Von Mueller lias obtained permission of tho new party to search for traces of the lost Loichardt party. Tho death is announced of Lady Downer, wife of Sir John Downer. Ho Bart, May 5. Augustus E. Graves, who recently arrived from New Zealand with hi;; wife and family, has been found dead at his | lodgings. It is supposed that ho took an j overdose of a narcotic.