AUSTRALIAN CABLE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2762, 12 January 1895, Page 1

AUSTRALIAN CABLE.

Sydney, Jan. 9. Two enterprising Sydney merchants are entering upon on extensive tobacco venture in Fiji. They start operations this month, and intend giving tobacco culture an exhaustive trial. The enquiry into the free pass system on the railways has resulted in the exposure of the fact that the wives and relatives of members of Parliament not only of this colony, but also of Victoria, had been granted free passes whenever they chose to travel. The issue of such passes is practically a contravention of the Act. The Daily Telegraph publishes a complete list of ladies who have travelled free, and says; Self-denial in the public interest is not a quality to expect from members of Parliament, but after this exposure we can hardly believe that any member can have the effrontery to ask the ratepayers to pay for hk Wife’s railway pass.” Jan. 10. The postal authorities have received a communication from the New Zealand Government with regard to that colony joining the Vancouver mail service., ft is proposed that another boat should be added to enable the establishmcD* 0 { a monthly service alternatin'' t i le San Francisco ai) / calling at Auckland) Postmaster General of New Wales has no objection to Vue proposal, provided it involves no increased outlay to Now South Wales. The Vancouver Company is willing to put on another boat. It is understood that the Now Zealand Government offer a substantial subsidy. Melbourne, Jan. 9. The American consul has informed the Age that American timbers are nut suitable for wood paving, and directs attention to what will probably bo a field for a groat export industry. The consul suggests sending representatives with a sufficient supply of blocks to lay

down an experimental section in the main streets. The local authorities would probably pay for laying the blocks, which it is understood would be admitted duty free. Some three years ago it was emphatically declared that nothing could be done to produce better results on the \iotorian railways; yet, since retrenchwas asserted to be an impossibility, the cost of working the railways has been reduced by £630,000. Jan. 10. The Geelong Rifle Meeting was characterised by the magnificent shooting of Major Umphelby, who lowered the world’s record at 300,500, and 600 yards by scoring 101 out of a possible 105 points. A shocking explosion occurred in a mine at Bendigo, by which a miner named Franklyn was blown to atoms. A clever swindler, passing under the alias of Count de Velasco, victimised a number of tradespeople before being run to earth. His method was to pay into an account his own cheque drawn on Broken Hill, then, with the deposit slip as a guarantee, be bought goods and issued a number of cheques. Accused has been mixed up with some ingenious frauds in Tasmania and here. A shocking accident occurred on the railway line at Jolimont. Two gangers who were engaged in repairing the line were struck by a passing train. One (Smith) had his head cut off and his body hurled many yards away ; the other (O’Halloran) was m ingled beyond recognition. Adelaide, Jan. 10. Judge Bundy has been appointed president of the State Board of Conciliation under the Act which was passed last session. A new Portfolio in the Ministry is created, the Attorney-General being made Minister of Industry. Perth, Jan. 9. For many weeks past rumours of a valuable discovery of alluvial gold at Coolgardie have been rife. A well-known firm here has now received loOoz of gold, which is alleged to be one-third of what was obtained by one or the prospector’s party. The gold is rough, and mostly in large bits, one piece weighing lloz. The locality of the find is being kept secret.