AUSTRALIAN.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIC, Issue 13397, 21 September 1907, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN.

Press Association-By Telegraph-Copyright A MYSTERIOUS TRAGEDY. MELBOURNE, September 20.

A mysterious tragedy is reported from Kangaroo Flat. An old age pensioner named Wendell was found dead in his hut, with several pea rifles bullet wounds in his body, and a rope tied tightly round his neck. Previously lie had been heard quarrelling with some one unknown. LEGAL STATISTICS. SYDNEY, September 20. " Official figures show that during the pastten years litigation in the New South Wales courts had decreased to a remarkable degree. This is attributed to the more healthy condition of industrial and social affairs and the increased cost of legal proceedings. The bankruptcy record also show a- large decrease. Ten years ago the sequestrations numbered 1826, and last year 406. A FEVER STRICKEN BARQUE.,. NEWCASTLE, September 20. The barque Kelbum. has '-arrived from Santa Rosalia with malarial fever on board after a protracted voyage, owing to being short-handed. One npprentioe succumbed. Received 11.41 p.m., September 20th. A GRAVE CHURCH CRISIS. ADELAIDE, September 20. Professor Harper, of Sydney, speaking at the Presbyterian Federal Assembly, said that a grave crisis was imminent- in the history of Presbyterianism in South Australia! Tlia Presbyterians in the State formed only 5 per cent, of the population of whom a portion was not.connected with the churches. A • great number of the churches were in a precarious' condition, more in need of, strenous help and monetary assistance than those in any of the States. The large and richer churches of other States. "The large and richer churches of other States should do something to restore the- church to its position.