AUSTRALIAN,

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 8701, 21 December 1899, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN,

Electrlo Telegraph-CODyrlgbt— United PreMj Association. ALBANY, Dm 20. The mail steamer Arcadia reports a largo steamer sunk on the east side of the White Top Bocks. No boats or men were visible. The top of the funnel and one mast can be seen. (Received Deo. 21, 10.10 a.m.) Deo. 21.— 1t is thought possible the supposed wreokage seen by the Arcadia may be the survey marks of the warship Penguin, which is surveying in the neighborhood of Cape Leuwin. MELBOURNE, Deo. 20. At the annual meeting <if the National Mutual Life Association the report and balance-sheet was unanimously adopted, Mr Reid, ex-Premier of N.S.W., is here en route to New Zealand. (Received Dec. 21, 1.18 a.m.) Mr McCoy, whoacceptedaportfolioin the new Ministry, was defeated atCaatlemaioe ou coming up for re-election, Mr Lawson, barrister, beating him by a. majority of 310. The defeat is largely due to McCoy voting against the despatch of the first contingent to the Transvaal. Dissensions exist in the Cabinet, and Mr Pink has resigned, disapproving of the attitude ot Mr Shiels, whom he accuses of introducing bitter political feeling and personalities into his speeches, showing determination to pursue his own line of warfare uutrammelled by the responeibilities of his colleagues, SYDNEY, Deo. 21. In the Assembly the Postmaster-General in reply to a question, said that owing to the recent political reverses the new Government's negotiations with the Eastern Extension Company are being delayed, and if possible the matter would be held over till next meeting of Parliament, but in the meantime if it became necessary to make a definite contract he was bound to do it, as there could be no interim arrangement. (Received Deo. 21, 12.43 p.m.) In view of bringing the session to a close to-day, yesterday's sitting of the Assembly still continues. Bills authorising the issue of fout million Treasury bonds, increasing the probate aud stamp duties have been passed. The question of. the colony's preparednesß in the event of complications was raised, when the Premier stated that 30,000 rifles were available, and 5000 more would be ordered. He announced that he intended to take steps to start a local ammunition faotory. » -