AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 3747, 5 October 1886, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

.■.—.» ■■ (By Telegraph.) (Per Bteamer at the Bluff.) Melboubne, Sept. 28. Tho Qovernmenfc has sent a letter to Sir Win. Stowell, the late Chief Justice, recording its sense of the great services ho had rendered the country and eulogising his ability, industry, and personal integrity m glowing terms. Efforts are being made by the prisoner Lawrence, who shot Finlayson, Secretary of the Hobson railway m 1879, to obtain a releaße. . , Preparations are being made to give a formal welcome to the Hon George Cappin, MX. A., on his return from Europe. Negotiations between the Telephone Exchange Company and the Government for the purchase of the former' 3 business, are still going on, but Government considers £78,750, the price asked, oicessive. The matter will probably be referred to arbitration. Mr Peter Campbell, well-known throughout Australia as a bush missionary, was killed on the St. Kilda railway yesterday while under the influence of drink. Sydney, Sept. 28. The Sydney Morning Herald received a telegram 'from Mr T. Colin, dated Coppin's gully, Kimberley goldfields, August 12tb, which states that the diggings are a complete failure, one pennyweight per day being considered a good find. Numbers are leaving daily. Afc present abovt 800 are on the field Buffering great hardship and misery. Some of the finest men, and with the most complete outfits ever seen, are now on the ground? The Intercolonial Stock Conference opened yesterday. Mr Bruce, chief inspector of New South Wales, waß appointed chairman, and a decision made as to what animal diseases should be discussed. The trial of the men- charged with tho Mount Eennie outrage is proceeding, but the: proceedings are not made public. Government have provided work for the unemployed, finding tenta and blankets, and paying 3a to 4s per day. Late news from Noumea to hand by tho returned warship Duchaffant announces the establishment of a third military poßt at Vila Harbour, Sandwich Island. It is considered that it cannot be for the protection of settlers, as the few resident natives are all peacoful and friendly. At the Criminal Court R. S. Gregory and Charles Aylward were sentenced to_ five and three years' imprisonment respectively, for fraudulently uttering cheques. Gregory was formerly a bonk clerk m Tictoria. He left his clothes on the banlc of the Ynrra, leading hi* friends to believe that he had committed suicide. , . Immediately on tho announcement of tho increase m the cable rates being made, the chairman and seorotary of tho Melbourne Chamber of Commerce waited on the Post-»ast«-G.eneral t> a»fc lum to endeavor to

nduco the company to poslp >ne Ihe d:it<s of (he increase; also to suggest that the Victorian Government thoutd contribute a portion of tho subsidy, say ,Cl2soper annum, which should he deducted from tho Now Zealand quota. Mr Derham promised to con-ult his colleagues, and the matter was considered m Cabinet yesterday, with the result that the Postmaster-General will communicate with New South Wales and New Zealand. While Victoria will not pay a direct subsidy to the Cablo Company it is understood blic would bo willing to subscribo a certain amount if the other colon es join. It is understood that the General Manager of tho Eastern Extension Company has cabled to London suggesting a postponement.