AUSTRALIAN.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 6986, 26 May 1894, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN.

Press Association— Eleotrio Telegraph— Copy right SYDNEY, May 24. The Labour members m Parliament have rejected the modified pledge required by tht Electoral League. They are prepared to make a simple pledge of loyalty to the principles of the party. A settlement of the difficulty is still remote. The Premier states that the accident to hydro-pneumatic gun at Newcastle was due to a Palliser shell breaking m the gun, and was not attributable to the gun or manu- ; facturer. May 25. The Greta miners refuse to return to work at 2s 4d per ton, and the mine will now be opened, and free laborers engaged. Two men have been arrested on a charge of forging tram tickets. It is believed that the tickets were printed m Europe, and it is thought not many have yet been placed m circulation. The discovery will necessitate a new form of ticket being issued. Mrs Lane, wife of the leader of the " New Australia" party, declares that disaffection was apparent from the commencement of the trip. The chief complaint was that her husband was a dictator and tyrant, although he had been elected unanimously to supreme power pending the 'declaration of tbe 'constitution. On the voyage he con- . ceded as much of the constitution as would enable a committee of management to be formed, which waß done. Still discontent continued. When the settlement was reached she states there were instances of perversity almost beyond endurance. A report is to hand from the Gobo lighthouse that the dteamer Glaucus passed the masts of a ship, with wreckage attached, abreast of the island. It is feared that some disaster has been occasioned by the recent heavy gales m Bass Straits. Sailed : Rotomahana for Auckland. Five proprietors of the paper "Justice" have been committed for trial on a charge of inciting to murder, alleged to be contained m an article headed " Nineteenth Century Brutality." It was m th 6 nature of a commentary on the death sentence inflicted on two burglars, and urged housebreakers to aheofc straight, as they would be hanged whether they took life or not, and had a greater chance of escaping if they killed their opponents. MELBOURNE* May 25. The twenty-four hours bicycle race was won by Crisp, who covered 401 miles. Eighteen bicyclists started, but only twothirds finished. . Arrived : s.s. Tarawera from the Bluff. A deputation from the Women's Franchise League waited on the Premier, and urged him to extend the franchise to women. Mr Patterson expressed sympathy with their aspirations, hut thoughb Government would not be justified m taking up the time of Parliament unless they were satisfied the time had arrived to legislate on the subject. He advised the deputation to go upon the platform and promulgate their views. May 26. The Glaucus reports that the wreckage sighted off Gobo Island was the main mast of a steamer of moderate size. No steamer is known to be missing, therefore the wreckage is surrounded m mystery. ADELAIDE, May 24. The Wesleyan Conference referred the proposal of the New Zealand Conference for revision of the hymn book to the annnal district conference. The adherence of the~ principle of direct local veto without compensation to publicans was affirmed. The report of the committee upon the basis of Union with the Methodist Church was adopted. Among other things recommended as a means of hastening union was that each annnal conference should invite • other Methodist bodies to join and create a federal council within their own bonnds. May 25. The Wesleyan Conference has practically concluded. A regnlation with reference to women preaching has been expunged from tbe constitution. It was decided that when the final vote is taken consummating the Union with the Methodist Church there must he a two-thirds majority. PERTH, May 24. Sir J. Forrest, the Premier, announced m a Bpeech that Government intends to ask Parliament for a million and a half to provide railways to Cbolgardie and Murchison ' goldfields, also at Greenbushes tinfield and Collie coalfield. It has also been resolved to ' carry out extensive water conservation works m dry districts, and establish a kind bank with management entirely separate from Government control for the purpose of advancing money to farmers at the lowest possible rates of interest. BRISBANE/ May 26. The Full Court has decided that the Crown having once granted a freehold of Crown lands, it is not capable of leasing the land for mining purposes.