Australian TelegttUns.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 11661, 22 January 1901, Page 2

Australian Telegrams.

United Press Association.— Br Electric Telegraph.— CJopyrigbf. - Received January 22, 12.83 a.m.

Sydney, January 21. A deputation from the New Hebrides Mission Synod waited on Mr Barton, as Minister of External Affairs, ana a state* ment of l Vir case was read. They accused th t l : i onch of mal-adm/nistration with.ref jivncy to land, dealing with the natives. The Rev Mr Paton declared that if the French claims were admitted, a lurge part of the. Hebrides already belonged to them. The Rev Mr Small declared that Captain Rich, of the Rings* rooma, as chairman of the Mixed Commission, hid done all in his power to depress and retard British interests in the Islands. The deputation wished for the appointment of some authority .to investigate .tie land olaims. ,A ipint commission could* not govern the islands. What was wanted was annexation to Britain. Mr Barton, ia reply, promised to give very serious consideration to .the statements made. He considered $ his duty to make a. representation to the Secretary for tiie Colonies.

, , Becaived, January 22, 9i a»m. . Sydhky, January 22. Last night's storm did thousands of pounds worth of damage- by floojEf shops and cellars. The water was tfcree feet deep in King afreet and inundated business places. < A rubbish ,-box was carried by tha-force of ihe water through a large plate- glass window. A fire destroyed a number of' business places at Graf ton. Morehead A Co, were insured in the Near, Zealand Office for JE4BPO, and Harman'a shop and stock for £850 in the National.

Melbourne, January 22. Mr Reid, continuing his revenue tariff campaign through the States, opened in Victoria with a large meeting at Richmond.

Sydnky, January 22. A cyclonic storm,, with terrific rain, passed over the city last-night. Two and a half inches of rain within, half an hour

. Mjßi.?oußNE, January 22. Sir George Turner has announced that Mr Peacock will be hip successor,. Received January 22, 9.50. a^n. Sydney, January 22. Tbe Daily, Telegraph commenting on the deputation from the New Hebrides, says : "If what is said is true an effort should be. made to cause humanity to put a stop to the cruel practices. The Federal Ministers. may bo expected in tbe colonies to ftsrame the fntwtioos of warden of the Pacific, aud in that way sooner or later to develop a definitely responsible bead of more or lest formal federation of tho South Paei&Mslinds with Australia.'' . s -v\. Referring to Mr SedaWs lommuaication from Fiji the Telegraph condemns Sir George O'Brien's attitude, • and. says it is unpleasant to find the Governor of a Crown colony interfering with local politics, and much worse to find his interference takes the form of open depreciation of responsible f roy jrnnieut. From our point of view it will be undfebirable for Fiji to federate with New Zealand but that is none of the Governor's business. He must not meddle in politics."