AUSTRALIAN CABLE.

Timaru Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 1664, 18 January 1895, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN CABLE.

Fbb Electric Telegraph— Copyright. Pkr Press Association. NEW SOUTH WALES POLITICS. Sydney, January 17. The Minister of Public Works states that between £300,000 and £400,000 will be spent on roads m the* colony within the next three months. Speaking at an up-country agricultural show the Premier said that the AgentGeneral's office m London must be made more useful to the people ; there must be a marked change m the sphere of the Agent-General's operations which should be less diplomatic and display more commercial activity. ENCOURAGING SETTLEMENT. The Government are sending an expert irrigationißt to Bourke to plot out 400 acres m the vicinity of the artesian bore m2O acre farms. The Government will also establish an experimental farm to Hustrate the best methods' of irrigation. THE VANCOUVER LINE. Mr Grayson, representative of Huddart Parker, has been m communication with Mr Huddart, who is absent m England, relative to the desire of the New Zealand Government to participate m the Vancouver mail service. Mr Grayaon has been authorised to commence negotiations m the matter and will proceed to Hobart towards the end of the month to meet the Post-master-General of New Zealand. He says that when a complete service is established through to London, the deviation to New Zealand will mean the ' loss of several days, consequently if New Zealand wishes the steamers to call at Auckland it will be necessary to grant a substantial subsidy, especially as a third steamer will be required. Mr Grayson points out that Mr Huddart's offer to connect the mail line at Fiji by a fast steamer to Auckland for a subsidy of £10,000 would meet mail requirements, sb correspondence would be delivered by such means as soon as m New South Wales. The terms on which the company propose to agree for the main service to call at Auckland have not leaked out. DEPARTURE^ OF LORD KINTORE. Adelaide, January 17. Lord Kintbre, who left yesterday for London,received a most cordial send off. PUNISHED FOR MURDER. Thursday Island, January 17. A number of natives belonging to British New Guinea have been sentenced to terms of imprisonment ranging up to 10 years for murdering 16 natives who took refuge near Fly river during a gale. VICTORIAN POLITICS. Melbouenb, January 17, The Premier hopes to prorogue Parliament at the end of the week, to enable him to attend the Conference of Premiers and the meeting of the Federal Council. VICTORIAN CREDIT. The Argus considers that the London Stock Exchange is supersensitive m the lowering of Victorian stocks a point because the perrenial rumour-monger is speaking disrespectfully of the Australian banks. Although the latter are factors of the first importance, yet the national credit does not depend on their position. In regard to colonia] credit, national and not party feeling is gradually but surely predominating, and the severest critic must admit tliat the position is improving. GABLE SERVICES. The Argus says that so far as the Euro pean business is concerned the Westerr Australian telegraph service is a delusioi and a snare. While we depended onlj

on the Port Darwin line the liability t interruption was always taken > hit account, but when the Eastern Extensio: Company laid a cable to Roebuck Ba; communication was thought to be absc lutely safeguarded against severance The Argus suggests that the Postal Con ference should take the matter m hand and either coerce or cajole the Post master-General to bring his departmen up to date. A deputation from the Chamber o Commerce waited on the Postmaster General and said that the Chamber wen unanimous m favour of a Pacific cabl< being laid at an early date. They pointe< out that the present route had fallei thirty-six times mlB years. The presi dent thought that the Eastern Extensior Company would be glad to continu< without any guarantee. Mr Duffy Postmaster-General, agreed that il would be a good thing to have a telegrapl; line mainly through British possessions and a great advantage m time ol war. It was understood that the cable would cost £1,800,000, and m the present condition of things Victoria was not m a position to go m for it. He was afraid that the cable would not pay at the start, though ultimately it would. All the countries likely to be benefited by the Pacific scheme should be called on for any share of the undertaking. GOLD DISCOVERIES. Two pounds weight of gold were found on the old Woombat diggings, near Omeo, m a few hours, by two men. THE TE ANAU. Sailed— Te Anau, for the Bluff, yesterday. OBITUARY. The death is announced of Mr Joseph Clarke, squatter, brother of Sir W. Clarke; aged 61 years. Perth, January 17, Reports continue to be received from Coolgardie about a marvellous find, which is said to be equal to the Londonderry. Mr Fitzgerald, the proprietor of Kumalpie, is said to be the discoverer, but there is no authentic information at present. A camel train is supposed to have brought m a ton of specimens which are said to eclipse anything yet found on the field. Large prospecting parties have gone out. The purchase money for the Londondeny mine, amounting to £180,000, was paid yesterday. The stamp duty on the transfer of leases was £800.