AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY. Sydney, May 17.

Otago Witness, Issue 2203, 21 May 1896, Page 13

AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY. Sydney, May 17.

THE DEAN CASE. Once again the Dean case formed the subject of discussion. The latest development gave the newsboys a chance to "earn au houest brown," and the old familiar cry re-echoed from end to | end of the city. The decision of the Full Court was nob altogether unexpected from the trend of the argument; in fact, the admission I of the epeecbes made in the Hou«e as evidence | wai looked upon here as palp«vb]y a weak point, Mesgher received an ovation outside the court frcm his friend*. A point of strong interest in the" case was tbe opportunity affoided of a ruling on a question or privilege iv connection with the epeechds of legislators. However, although the qutstion was discussed, tho court held that theie wan no necessity to go into tbe poiut in the present case, the contention of the iuadruissibilifvy of tbe speeches bsiog aufiicioutly good to q'la^b. a conviction, STERILISED MILK. The Minister for Agriculture intend* {o make a thorough test at the Hawkesbury Agricultural College of the value of Pasteurising milk. Last jear Denmark exported 130 000,0001b of Pasteurised butter, which realised an average of 80^ per ton more than Australian. OPENING OF PARLIAMENT. The parliamentary campaign commenced with the ugual ceremony incidental to viceregal openings. The public displayed greater curiosity than usual, due to the fact that it was Viscount Hampden's first effort, the famale portion being especially anxious to sea to what the gorgeouaness of his entourage could aspire. The amount of gold trimmings carried by the suite must bave amply ta'isfled the glitter-loving section of the spectators. When the Governor arrived he made a rush to the members' entrance* to the Council instead of by the main door, but a vigilant attendant headed his Excellency off, and got him into the way he should go Tfcere are those who anticipate a peaceful session, but with the inflammable elements of which our political fabric is constituted one requires to b" opfciini«tical to a degree to place faith in such a make-believe. In fact, the Address-iu-Rteply saw Government suppoiters on the warpath to probe the delinquencies of tho Public Works department to the bobtom. Mr Varney Parkes asked for a select committee, but Mr C.>pslan<i moved »■ further amendment in favour of a Royal Commis»ion. Both smeridmenti were withdrawn when tha Government announced a grand commission. Mr Pjrke3 in his charges alleged that a certain firm of contractors obtained £40,000 improperly. He did not wish to infer that the Minister was guilty of corruption, but guilty of carelessness, which is quite as bad. By his stupid, foolish sdruinisttation he had put the public to a loss which he (Mr Parkts) believed was greater than if the Minister bad been corrupt. He insinuated there was collusion between come vffiVr of the department and the contractors. Ministers' replies, in the face of so grave an indictment, were rather weak.

AN OPEN-MINOED BRIDEGROOM. The first wedding celebrated at the Anglican Church at Hea'hrot'i had for the bridegroom one who experienced great, difficulty in the matter of religious belief. When anked what his belief was, he replied that he bad none. He had lived amongst good Christians, good Mohammedans, Buddhists, Pagans, spoke eight languages, but had not yet fi c«d on any particular belief. He was not troubled with further questions.

THE WEATHER. The change from the abnormally dry weather of the last few months to a wtjt npoll was a subject that w».s of more immediate practical interest to business and country people than even the opening of Parliament or tha Au<traliau cricket tour. Through the country, with the exception of tbe extreme west, good rains have fallen. Tiw weather is s^iil threatening and showery in some parts, although some inland districts report that it is clearing up. The rainfall is still a long way below the average. .

DEEP SEA DIVING. The question of reaching the Oatterfchun with the apparatus imported for the purposo has been solved. The diver ba« discovered the tank containing the treasure, and only awaits a "slant" of weather to make an effort to raise it. The vessel lies at a depth of about 26 fathoms. A case parallel to tbe Catterthnn is found in the recovery of £90,000 worth of specie from the steamer Alphotiso, wrecked at Grand Canary in 1885. The vessel wa? 26£ fathoms from the surface.

1 A SHOAL. The Dart, which has just returned from a surveying cruise on the Tasmanian coast, found a shoal bearing' 81 miles* south by live east from Cape Raoul The bank is of sand and coral, about two cables long, with 13 fathoms over it. An interesting feature ■is the fact of coral being discovered so fas south.

SCHOOL LIBRARIES. An important proposal to disseminate knowledge amongst country folk through the agency | of the public schools submitted by the Guvernment is tbe establishing of librAries in each school, to be supplied with books and pamphlets published by the Goverumenfc on fores'ry, mining, agriculture, and other cognate Bubjects. Those works will be given out to children for their parents' use. The Government favour the scheme.

Melbourne, May 16. A RUNAWAY ENGINE. An unpleasant sensation has- been caused at Deraboola by the vagaries of a looomotive oa tbe overland line to Adelaide. This particular engine started of its own accord, ran out of the shed on to the main line, and made for Melbourne at a speed of 15 miles an hour. The line was cleared by telegraph, and an engine, started in pursuit, found the wanderer five miles away, brought to a standstill on a stiff grade and with waning steam power.

TWO ROBBERIES. Two extenMve robberies came to light during the week. In one case a railway booking clerk ingeniously manipulated the tickets issued to overland travellers to Sydney in such a way as to put 50 per cent, of the proceeds into his own pocket. Some time ago a bundle of Melbourne to Sydney tickets went mis-ing, and was never discovered. It was with theee presumably that the clerk worked the oracle. . In order that his method may be understood it must be explained that the practice of issuing a child's ticket is to cut off the lower portion of the ticket, which enables him- to tally the money and tickets. The clerk is alleged to have issued full* tickets, pocketed half the amount, and then cat off toe bottom one, the missing tickets being handed in with the cash. How long the process would have gone on it is hard to say but for tha authorities being struck by the abnormal number of infants travelling Sydneywards. Comparing notes with the Sydney authorities, the fraud was discovered. So far as is known £300 is missing. The second case is more of

the eneak thief order. An American named Mackay, posing as a journalist, has been in the habit for the past two aud a-half yetrs of calling at offices on some trivial pretext contriving to annex unconsidered trifles, and the appropriation of a gold ohnin led to the arrest of the man. Him room in towa was searched, and revealed a perfect curiosity shop filled with goods valued at £4-50. A LABOUR PLATFORM. The Labour party adopted a platform which is the outcome of a conference between the Trades Hall Council and united Labour and Liberal party of Victoria. It is claimed for tbis new programme that it will make Ibe party the strongest and most effective body in Australasia. Its constitution plank, of couse, embraces one-man-one-vote, with, registration as the sole qualification for parliamfntary elections. It provides for tha enfranchisement of seamen and other migratory callings, and the referendum. Its taxation creed is a progressive tax on town and land values without exemption, a cumulative tax on all incomes over £200, and a fax on Hbscntees. Social reforms provide for the establishment of a State bank, an eight hours' day, a minimum wage on all Government aud municipal works, the establishment of a department of labour with a responsible Minister, qourts of conciliation and arbitration, prohibition of Asiatic} and workmen uuder contract. It is declared to bs the duty of th.p Government to provide work for its own unemployed, to provide for the destitute, and the maintenance of a protective policy. Federation is to be consummated by a convention drawing up a constitution and submitting it by means of the referendum. A sure snag in this elaborate scheme is the endeavour to bind the fiscal faith of tha party. Brisbane, May 16. THE EMPIRE TRADE LEAGUE. Commenting on the vi<»it of Mr Lowles, the Empire Trade League delegate, the Courier took the opportunity of pointing out two inpavures before (he British Parliament designed to protect the Biitish farmer against the colonist *b well as foreigners — namely, the Cat v le Importation Bill and the Agricultural Produce. Warier Bill. Tho treatment of these two bills affords the CunKorvative party, represented by Me Lowles, au excellent opportunity of applying the principles of the Biitish Empire League by exempting both animals and meat brought from British possessions from the intended restrictions. Meantime the paper advises that not too much confidence be placed in the philanthropic proposals of the league.