AUSTRALIAN

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1321, 24 June 1897, Page 12

AUSTRALIAN

Sydney, June 16

Afc a meeting of butchers it was decided to form a Co-operative Butchers' Meat Export Company to deal with the surplus meat of the butchering' trade. Sydney, June 17.

The Legislative Council has postponed the consideration of the .Federal Bill for a fortnight to allow the Legislative Assembly time to deal with it. Adelaide, June 16. An influential association has been formed to promote Freetrade. Adelaide, June 17. Good rains are reported throughout the colony. Brisbane, June 16.

The frozen meat steamer Morayshire, from London, has been towed into Keppe! Bay (350 miles north of Brisbane) with a broken shaft. The Marine Board has found that the steamer Duke of Devonshire, which was recently damaged at Thursday Island, struck on an uncharted rock. The weather and sea were rough at the time, and the vessel failed to answer her helm properly. The pilot was absolved from all blame.

Parliament was opened at noon yesterday by the Governor (Lord Lamington) in the presence of a brilliant gathering. In the Legislative Assembly the ActingPremier stated that the first Bill to be considered would provide for the representation of the colony at the Federal Convention.

The Legislative Council adopted a congratulatory address to the Queen. Melbourne, June 17.

Sir George Turner, Premier of Victoria, considers that the salary of the AgentGeneral of Victoria should be at least .£2OOO a year in view of the increased work involved in the attention to commercial matters. Sir Andrew Clarke is likely to be appointed for a further term of three years. Melbourne, June 18.

The gold yield of the colony for the last year has been 805,0570 z, an increase of over 60,00005 s compared with the previous year, and the highest since 18S2. Sir liupert Clarke has been returned unopposed to the vacancy in the Legislative Council caused by the death of his father, Sir William Clarke

Brisbane, June 18. Mr Wragge, Government Meteorologist, has received an offer from Mr Barr-Smith, of Adelaide, to subscribe the whole amount required to establish a meteorological station on Mount Kosciusko, Now South Wales. lu the Legislative Assembly the way has been cleared for the introduction of the Federation Bill, which will contain the names of the delegates, but in other respects will be similar to the measure introduced last session. . The meagre information received irom an influential London authority in reference to Mr E. T. Hooley's proposal to amalgamate the Australian and" New Zealand meatfreezing companies points to the fact that his offer will be on a full cash basis. It is also stated that the meat-freezing is not the only Australian industry Mr Hooley has his eye upon. Sydney, June 18.

The heavy rain throughout bhe colony has at last extended to the drought districts in the interior, where the heaviest fall for many nionth3 has been experienced. Similar reports have been received from Victoria and South Australia. Sydney, June 20.

It is now stated that the tobacco tag Butler attempted to commit suicide with was obtained from a brand which is not sold in Sydney. He must hava brought it from San Francisco, and kept it concealed with the greatest cunning. The Intercolonial Fruit Conference has opened. Tho delegates include some from New Zealand. The object is to devise federal methods of dealing with exported fruits.

Mr J. Henderson, late master of the barque Excelsior, trading with tho Islands axid New Zealand, has recovered -£IOO damages against the Sydney D<xily Telegraph for a libel contained in an article referring to certain trouble which arose in regard to the discharge of the veasol's cargo at Suva in May last year. Brisbane, June 19. General heavy rain has fallen, and the drought has fairly broken up.