AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXIV, Issue 7496, 20 April 1899, Page 1

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

'By Electric Telegraph—Copyright ) (PSA UNITED PKSSS ASSOCIATION. > Received April 19, at 10.20 p.m. Sydney, April 19. With reference to Father Laroch's charge of inhumaniby against Captain Sturdee ab Samoa, an account of an eye-witness stateß that what really happened was that ovar five hundred Malieooans, expecting an attack, took refuge in the boats around the Porpoise. A squall blew nexb day, rendering the position untenable. Captain Sturdee took five hundred on board, the rest going on board the Falke, by arrangement, until the weather cleared. None of the boats capsized, nor were any of their occupants drowned. Melbourne, April 19.

The body of an old man named Butler was found in a sack, mutilated, at Mansfield. Murder is Buspected. Received April 20, at 8.55 a.m. Sydney, April 19.

The Legislative Council passed the second reading of the Federal Enabling Bill on the voices. In committee an amendment providing . for the minimum vote at a referendum was rejected by 30 votes to 23. After inserting a stipulation that two months Bhall intervene before the referendum be taken, the Council passed the Bill without further amendment, and. the measure was subsequently put through its final stages. Received April 20, at 9.30 a.m. Sydney, April 20.

The Daily Telegraph regrets that the Legislative Council should, under any pressure, have agreed to less than one-fourth of the people being entitled to authorise an irrevocable constitutional change. At the same time much has been accomplished hy the Upper House, which stood as the people's friend when a panic-stricken Assembly left them in the lurch. Sailed, yesterday—Waihora, Arrived— Tarawera. Melbourne, April 19. Sailed, yesterday—Waikare. Received April 20, at 9.45 a.m. Brisbane, April 20. New South Wales havingpassed the Federation Bill the Premier will immediately circulate it to the electors and call a meeting of Parliament for May 16th to consider the Rill Launceston, April 20.

The Union Steamship Company's steamer ! Australia, with 20 passengers and 220 tons I of cargo, struck a reef at West Point, the j en trance to the Arthur River, early yesterday morning. The captain ran her aground Tn a sinking condition on a sandy beachf The passengers and crew are safe. Assistance has been sent. The details of th swoldents ate meagre,

Melroukne, April 20. Thoro are evidences of an attempt to burn Butlers' house and destroy the body, whioh failed. The body was thou placod in a rubbish heap. The crimo is supposed to havo been committed on Kaster Monday, whoa tho victim received L 5 from a daughter. This, however, was found partially burnod in his pocket. Received April 20, at 11.30 a.m. Sydney, April 20. The Amntour Athletio Association approvsd of the Australasian Union's proposal to send a loam to England and W>o Paris Exhibition in 1900, and has advocated August 26th and 27th as the dates for the Brisbane meeting.