AUSTRALIAN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5326, 2 August 1895, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN.

•—■ — „ i [Spkciai. to Pbkss Associations ' THE JEWELLERY ROBBERY. ; SYDNEY, August 1. ; Two boys named Wilson and Harrily have beeu arrested on a charge of being concerned with Windon in stealing £2500 worth of jewellery from Stewart, Dawson and Co.'s premises. The lads made a statement which will probably have an important bearing on the case. APPOINTMENTS TO THE COUNCIL. SYDNEY, August 2. It is reported that the Government will Bhortly make eight to ten appointments to the Legislative Council. A number of names are mentioned, including several prominent freetraders who were unsue- , cessful at the elections. THE BURNING MINE. The fire is still smouldering steadily. Last night the bottom of the open quarry showed a subsidence of several feet, and the fire haß evidently reached the sloped ground below. Steam and water are being poured in again unceasingly, and it has now been decided to use the carbonic acid gaß, which will be introduced into the old shaft. As a precaution against posaible evil effects, the managers of adjoining minea advise. its use to-day. SUSPENDED PAYMENT. MELBOURNE, August 1. The Union Flour Milling Company, Horaham, has suspended payment. About sixty farmers, whose wheat is stored, are involved to the extent of .£4600. The failure is said to ba the result ot overselling and having to re-purchase Btock in rising markets. DIFFERENTIAL DUTIES. j In the Legislative Assembly the Qo- \ vornment proposals to raise the duty on : colonial refined sugar from 5s to 5a 6d caused a warm discussion. The Govern- j ment was urged to leave the duty as at j present, otherwise the Colonial Sugar Re- j fining Company would lose much of the benefit of the differential duty. On the other hand it was contended that threefourths of the shareholders resided in Sydney, and moat of the money went there, while the company was quite | wealthy enough to do without differential duties. The proposal waa rejected in favour of one raising the duty to 5a 9d. i A RELIEF FUND. MELBOURNE, August 2. I The Directors of the Broken Hill South Company have voted £500 for the relief of the sufferers by the late accident. TAKIFF DEBATE. In the Assembly, in the tariff debate, the Government's proposal to reduce the duty on timber from 4a to Is per 100 feet was rejected, and the rate was fixed at 2a. It waa decided to admit 12in by 6in timber and over free, insVead of levying the proposed duty of 1b per 100 feet. STANDARD 'BANK OF AUSTRALIA. A meeting of creditors and shareholders , in the Standard Bank of Australia adopted a scheme of compromise, fixing the rate of interest at 2£ per cent, with a provision that for the difference between the rate fixed at the time of reconstruction and the new rate, deposit receipts not bearing interest should be issued, payable in August, 1903. It was also decided that no dividend should be declared until the deferred interest had been paid to depositoraT" STANDAED TIME. HOBiRT, August 1. Tasmania adopts standard time from Sept. 1. WOMAN FRANCHISE. HOBART, August 2. The Assembly, by 22 to 5, approved of the extension of the franchise to women n connection with the election of members of the Legislative Council. RECIPROCITY ADELAIDE, August 2. Tn the Assembly, the Treasurer stated that the Government had entered into a reciprocal treaty with Queensland with regard to the border trade, and would attempt to make similar arrangements with New South Wales. He also gave notice to introduce a BUI on Tuesday to enable South Australia to proceed with the framing and enactment of a Federal Constitution for Australasia. ■t HEAVY FROSTS. BRISBANE, August 2. Farther heavy frosts are seriously damaging the sugar cane. LAND SETTLEMENT. The Hon Mr Tozer, speaking at Gympie, said the Minut9r of Lands would shortly introduce a scheme for settling people on the land. The best land in the colony would be available for occupation at the Bmallest possible price* Government would do all that waa possible to assist agriculture, and hoped before the end of the year to establish agricultural colleges. GOLD-MINING. PERTH, August 2. A very rich development in the Maritana and Croesus mine lead, 6ft wide, has been struck. It is thickly studded with coarse gold up to the size of peas, and is said to be richer than the much vaunted Boulder mine lode. There is considerable excitement at Coolgardie, as the discovery will greatly add to the value of the adjoining mines.