AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVII, Issue 2575, 30 July 1895, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

By Telegraph.—Press Association.—Copyright. Sydney, July 29. The half-yearly report of the Joint Stock Bank shows tho net profits to have been .£24,900, and the balance from last half was £26,300. A dividend of 4, per' cent, is recommended, and £ISOO is to be added to reserve and £2OOO carried forward. . It was recently stated that the French Government had decided to discontinue sending convicts to New Caledonia. The Tanais, however, brings news to the effect that preparations were being made in Franco to send another consignment of prisoners by the transport Caledohie, which, it is understood, left - France on the 11th June. It is mentioned that the despatch’of this lot is unavoidable, as they are required to complete the new penal station. Melbourne, July 29. The Acting - Governor has written a eulogistic letter to Ferguson, the hero of the Eldorado mine disaster. Adelaide, July 29. Miss Ramsay, tho remaining small-pox patient from the Lusitania, is recovering. There is no further sign of the disease. Hobabt, July 29. The Government intends to propose an unimproved land tax of Jd in the pound. Perth, July 29. The Norwegian barque Agra, loading at Bunbury for London, wont aground daring a gale, and struck heavily. She is likely to become a total wreck. Received July 29, 0.50 a.m. Melbourne, July 29. The relief party has found tho body of Thompson, one of tho victims of the Eldorado mine, behind a boulder of clay which blocked the crosscut. Thursday Island, July 29. An attempt to tow the steamer Argus off tho reef near Cape York has failed. It is expected she will float off at BjU'ing tide, a week hence. Many of the horses on board are in poor condition, and some are dying.