AUSTRALIA.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5426, 29 November 1895, Page 3

AUSTRALIA.

■ . .■' " — # r— . ' ' [Spbcial to Pekss Association.] . ACTIONS AGAINST A BANK. MELBOURNE, Nov. 28. The fall Court to-day dealt with an appeal from the decision of the Chief Justice, who directed the City of Melbourne Bank, now in .liquidation, to refund certain money, claimed by the Prahran City Council to have been received by the bank in the capacity of agent. The money waa despatched by the bank to the London branch, directing it to pay interest on the Council's loan when it fell due. Before the interest was due the bank closed its doors'. The Court dismissed the appeal with costa. An appeal by the Metropolitan Board of Works in a similar case was also successful, &n order being made for the payment of £76 iO to the Board out of the assets of the bank. .. THE VICTORIAN DEFICIT. The Audit Commissioner's annual report showß that.' daring five financial years, from 1890 to 1895 inclusive, the expenditure of the colony in excess of revenue aggregated an amount of £3,210,000. This was reduced by a surplus of £578,000 from 1889, and .£1,199,000 realised by the Bale of Treasury bonds, but the latter is only a temporary provision, and the actual deficiency to be made good is £2,640,000. . ,. v , BILLS PASSED. ' ' „ MELBOURNE,; Nov. 29. The Assembly paraed the Abolition oS Plural Voting and Women's Franchise Bills through all their stages. ; : '". ...'■■,,.•■: EXTRADITION^ 'J' '' The Government intends: to ; bear /half the expense of Baker's extradition. "■ , •'•'>'•■•■■■■■ POLITICAL. ' i: ' ''•-' •'. ; r SYDNEY, Nov. 29. After a lengthy debate, the Assembly adopted the report of the conference on the Taxation Bill. Now that the difficulty between the two Houses ia practically ended, the prorogation will probably take, place within a fortnight or three weeks. The new taxation, which waß intended to date from July of the present year, '; will hot . come into operation before 'January. It is understood that the Government is willing that the Council Bhonld amend the Bill to this effect.