AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5349, 30 June 1885, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Pbb Press association.] (Per s.s. Tarawera, via the Bluff.)

RECEPTION OF THE TROOPS.

CONFERENCE RE CABLE RATES. DERAILS OF THE BANK ROBBERY. Sidney, June 23. Very heavy rains fell during last night, snd continued without cessation.. Govern- j , ment nevertheless decided that the reception of the returning troops should take place to-da/. Thf Arab came up to the quay this morning, and a force numbering nearly 5000 men assembled alongside. Admiral Tryon furnished au Imperial escort of sailors and maiineß from the warships. The proce^ion started in the midst of heavy rain along the route taken on the departure. The wholo of the Volunteers, Permanent Artillery .Naval Brigade, Naval Artillery, and Imperial sailors with Gatling machine guns preceded the contingent. Then followed tho Governor, escorted by the Light Hor6e, tht Admiral, naval officers, the Ministry, and numerous distinguished personages*, all in closed carriages; also special representatives from other Colonies ; namely, Colonel Verdon, Victoria ; General Owen, S.outh Australia; Colonel Legge, Tasttuu-i*- '; Colonel Mein, Queensland ; •Colonel Haul tai v, New- Zealand. The _treets were fairly filled considering the very wet weather, and the men were heartily cheered a*, tln-y pa.-sed along. All presented a drenched appt-arance. Arrived at the parade ground, tho Governor addressed the officers and men, thanking tbtm on behalf of the Queen and people. Ht) gave them 'a cordial welcome to tiie Colony. He referred to the creditable manner in which they had performed the services imposed upon them. He stated that twenty nix years ago agreat Englishstatesman, a great orator, and one of the greatest English meu of letters in this age, at a public banquet in London, speaking of the Australian Colonies, uttered theso simple,memorable words : — " It may happen that the time will arrive when the other great powers of the whole world will rise up against the venerable parent of so many noble children. If that period should ever arrive, I believe the Colonies will not be unmindful of the tie which binds them",to the Mother Country. I believe that their vessels will come thick and fast across the ocean to lend assistance, and that one voice will be heard universally among them, saying in effect that " while Australia lasts, England shall not perish." Your action has, as far as the sympathy of the Colonies is concerned, made the late Lord Lytton's hopeful words a prophecy. For the purposes of defence, there has been practically now established an Imperial federation. . Having welcomed the contingent back to their wives and families, and informed them •of the gratitudo of the country, the men were dismissed, after the several representatives had made a few remarks of congratulation and welcome. Melbourne, June 24. Amongst the passengers per s.s. Rome is Hr G. Anderson, the new master of tho Melbourne mint. At a meeting of the Cc V'net on Monday, the question of the destruction of rabbits was discussed. It has been proposed to erect a rabbit-proof fence on the South Australian border. It was resolved to ascertain what portion of the coßt Victoria would have to pay beforo deciding the matter. The medals awarded by tho Boyal Humane Society of Australasia were distributecLon Monday night by the Governor. At a meeting of the Melbourne Chamber of Commerco on Monday, the charges for messages to and from New Zealand were discussed. The following memo was laid before the Committee : — " Although the former tariff of 10s 6d for fourteen words was reduced in 1882 to 8a 6d, the charge must still b 3 regarded as excessive. It unquestionably tends to prevent the ■expansion of business. The previous re--duction virtually involved no sacrifice of revenue by the Cablo Company, inasmuch as from the time of its taking effect the Company were released from the obligation of maintaining a repairing steamer in these waters. A strong argument in favour of reduction is furnished by tho precedent established in the caso of Tasmania. The former tariff between Tasmania and Victoria was 6s per ten words, but at various times it has been reduced till in 1883 it was fixed at 2s for ten words, the two •Governments guaranteeing the Company against loss. So successful, however, has been the result, that up to the present time no payment has beon mado under the guarantee. It is only natural to conclude tliat similar results would attend the granting of increased facilities between New Zealand and tho Australian Continent. Initiatory steps havo been taken by the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, which paaaed a resolution in favour of making an effort in conjunction with other bodies, in order to seciire more favourable rates. A memorial, supported by all the New Zealand newspapers, has been presented to their Government, but without substantial success. As the ! contract between Cable. Companies and tlio various Governments expires in a ft./ months, the present seems an opportune moment for moving in the matter. There is every reason to believe that if the Governments interested unite in guaranteeing the Cablo Company against losa, the

latter will be fully prepared to concede a far more liberal scale, say 8s 6d per ten . words, and 3d for each additional woxd. • The Committee, concurring in the above suggestions, instructed the Secretary to write to the Postmaster-General, urging him to bring the matter under tho consideration of the Government with a view ( to a renewal contract with the Eastern Extension Company on more satisfactory terms. They wero also instructed to seek the co-operation of the Chambers of Commerce in New South Wales, New Zealand, and other Colonies, urging upon the respective Governments the importance of united action. - { At the City Polico Court yesterday, Milledge, Kingell, and Alcock Fortune were charged with robbing under arms. Kingell alias Yates had been accepted aa Queen's evidence and was formally discharged. It appears that three months ago the robbery had been suggested by Milledge who had ascertained that the bank manager was in the habit of carrying treasure to and from the bank. It was first proposed that the manager should be attacked in the street and the money taken from him, but this idea was abandoned. Tha bank was carefully watched for some weeks to ascertain when the person cleaning left, the time of the arrival of tho manager, • etc. On the Monday before the robbery the locks were examined, in order to see > whether they could be opened by skeleton 1 keys. The prisoners drew lots as to who I Bhould go inside the bank. At four o'clock I on the morning of the robbery the four • prisoners proceed-*"*! to tbe bank. Three got into the bank by a side door by means of skeleton keys, Yutes watching outside till receiving a signal that the others had got safely in. Yates then went for M'Mahon, and, with a horse and cart, waited near the corner of the street till ten o'clock. He saw the banker go in, and saw nothing moro till the prisoners came out. They deposited the bags in the cart , and then drove away. The case was '. adjdurned till to-morrow. * ■ ■__—■