Australian Telegrams.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 11603, 18 August 1899, Page 3

Australian Telegrams.

United Press Association. — By Electric Telegraph. — Copyright. Received August IS, 1.22 a.m.

Melbourne, August 17. The girl Butier has been acquitted of the murder of her father, on the grounds of insufficient evidence. ThePreirier, during recess, intends to recast tbe distribution of seats, making single electorates ; also to arrange the machinery for the Federal elections. He holds a Bpecial session in March to deal with these matters. Received August 18, 9.40 a.m. Brisbane, August 18. The half-yearly meeting of the Queensland National Bank shows a great improvement in business and reduction ia expenses.

Sydney, Auguat 18. The Council has adopted the Federal Address to the Queen by 24 to 21. The annual report of the rail ways shows a profit of over a million and a half upon the working, which is a record. Melbourne, August 18 Sir G-. Turner wilj introduce the Old Age Pensions Bill on Tuesday. Received August 18, 11.20 a.m. Met.botjrn'e, August 18. The Old .Age Pensions Bill provides ior a eptcial annual appropriation of £150,000 from the cocsolidated revenue for five years. It proposes a pension of £18 yearly to a'l men and women who

have reached the age of 65, of good xtcord, and who have resiled 25 years in the colony, whose income does not exceed ten shillings weekly, and those uader the age iendeied infirm by unhealthy occupation. The pension is to diminish a pound for every pound of income exceeding (igbteen pounds, and every fifteen pounds of accumulated property.