AUSTRALIAN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5226, 5 April 1895, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN.

i . * [Special to Pres3 Association.] , THE BETTERMENT PRINCIPLE. ■ SYDNEY, APR"- 4. ! The Minister of Public Works replying to a deputation asking the Government to take steps to mitigate the disastrous effects of the flooding o f the Hunter River, said that the works necessary for the pnrpose would coat four millions. He thought, however, they could be carried out if a rate of a penny in the JE were Btruck and they were conducted on the betterment principle. He requested the deputation to inquire how the betterment principle could ; he applied. THE RAND CLAIMANT. MELBOURNE, Apbil 4. y Band has been sentenced to three months' imprisonment. ; A POSTPONEMENT. - MELBOURNE. April 5. ' Owing to the delay by the Tariff tso*rd in submitting its report, the opening of Parliament has been postponed until the beginning of June. MILITARY RETRENCHMENT. ADELAIDE, April 5. The Government has decided to make a clean sweep of the militia, and also to make other retrenchments in the military service. The estimated saving is iJIO,OOO per annum. The commandant haß accepted a reduction in his oalary. IMPROVED PROSPECTS. BRISBANE, Apbil 5. The Premier, speaking at Longreach, said he expected that his estimated sur- | plus of £50,000 would be exceeded. He was quite of opinion that the country had started on the up grade, and that in a few . years they might expect a wholesome re- ' covery in all industries. The development of the wool and frozen meat tradeß promised to mftke the cattle stations some of the best aasets in the colony, | GOLDMINING. x PERTH, Apbil 5. Good water has been struck in the Premier mine at Twenty-five Mile, and in the Consella mine at Ninety Mile.