AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4164, 25 August 1881, Page 4

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[By Tbib&baph.]

(Per s.B. Arawata, via Auckland.)

NEW SOUTH WALES,

Sydney, August 18,

Tho case of Hyman v. Watson and others, for libel against the Daily Telegraph, was begun and adjournod to-day. The cause of action waa the accidental substitution of plaintiff's name for that of the party against whom he had taken proceedings in a late report. Tho same error was made by the Sydney Morning Herald, which Ukewise receivod writs, but compromised.

Small-pox continues to steadily attack fresh victims. The arrangements made by Government are severely commented on by the Press. When tho sufferers are removed to the quarantine ground tho other occupants of the houso are confined in the premises. Whole famihes aro thus barred up in infected premises. Alarming pitfalls havo lately occurred at Tigh's Hill, Newcastle. The Ferndale Colliery is threatening tho safety of a number of houses. There are several great cavities in the earth.

The India was lately sold at Noumea to Mr Howard Walker, of this city. She is to be laid on the trado between here and New Caledonia.

No traces have beon found of the body of Martha Hamilton, who was recently murdered near Brawood. A young Chinaman, with whom she had cohabited for years, was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the murder. Tho ovening she disappeared Chu Chong was seen running after her, and was subsequently seen by some chUdren washing blood off his clothing. When arrested two pound notes, with tho name Martha Hamilton written on the hack, were found on him, one of them bearing stains of blood. Chu Chong wUI be brought up tomorrow. The police are still searching. The Premier is improving in health, but in accordance with modical advice, ho wiU abstain from taking any active part in the business of Parliament.

Menton, who escaped from Braid wood Gaol, haa not yot been captured. He iB supposed to have gone to his old haunts. It is thought that the escape of this man may lead to the organisation of a new gang.

VIOTORIA. A pawnbroker's shop in Bourko street was entered recently, and five hundrod pounds worth of jewellery and cash stolon. A violent thunderstorm occurred a fow days ago at Ararat, and a lad named Wallace was killed by lightning. The lad, with his aunt, had sought shelter under a treo, when both wore struck by tho lightning and rendered insensible. Tho lightning parsed down tho lad's body, and burst his boots open. Tho woman was much burnt, but will probably recover. The missionary steamer Dayspring has returned from the South Pacific cruise, and put in here for provisions. At a meoting of tho Cabinet yesterday, Mr Holyroyd was appointed to tho vacant Judgeship. Tho Australian Meat Freezing Company yesterday completed freezing 3800 sheop, and a largo quantity of beef, for the Orient, forming the most extensive shipment yet attempted.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA. Gorernment intend to introduce a Bill to give greater powers to officials in carrying out tho provisions of tho Vaccination Act. Tho National Mutual Lifo Association obtained a verdict for £200 yesterday, against Mr Hicks, tho traveUing agent of the Australian Mutual Society, for tho slanderous imputation that plaintiffs' Company waß financially unsound. Several persons aro engaged in pro'iminarios tor sugar planting, and thero ie a great demand for paßtoral land. In the Goneral Assembly it was stated that the Agont-Goneral had placod half a million sterling in the London Bank at two per cent.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA. A BiU for tho abolition of the law of primogeniture has been brought beforo the Legislature for consideration.

QUEENSLAND,

His ExcoUoncy tho Govornor, Miss Kennedy, the Admiral, Lord Scott, and tho Princes, togother with a numbsr of officers and ladies and gentlemen formed a riding party through the city and Bubuibs yostorday. The reception held at Government Houso in the aftornoon was largely attended. Immense E reparations are boing mado for tho Mayor's all ; two thousand tiokets have at the present time beon disposed of.