AUSTRALIA.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5500, 27 February 1896, Page 3

AUSTRALIA.

» — [Special to Press Association.] THE CASTAWAY. BRISBANE, Feb. 28. A twenty-two-foot boat has been found twenty miles south of Double Island point. It is now believed that the castaway was one of three French escapees from Noumea. LOCAL OPTION. SYDNEY, Feb. 26. The Premier intends to introduce a Local Option Bill next session, SALE OF A STEAMER. j The Union Company's steamer Moreton has been sold to a Japanese firm for the Eastern trade. NORFOLK ISLAND. SYDNEY, Feb. 27. News from Norfolk Island states that on the arrival of H.M.S. Royalist, Commissioner Oliver called a public meeting of the inhabitants, and read his commission and a letter from the Governor of NewSouth Wales, stating that the recent election of a chief magistrate was illegal, owing to the non-observance of certain regulations, and directing that a fresh election should be held. The letters asked the co-operation of the residents in carrying out an enquiry. Previous to the arrival of the Royalist a public meeting was held at which strong protests were made against the proposal to transfer the administration of the group from the Imperial Government to the New South Wales Government. . Some of the speakers said that they would rather die than be annexed or have the constitution upset. The proceedings -were somewhat disorderly. A RELEASED PRISONER. MELBOURNE, Feb. 27. C. E. Staples, who was sentenced to five years' imprisonment on the charge of issuing a false report of the Anglo-Austra-lian Bank, has been released after serving less than three years. TEMPORARY INSANITY. The jury found Alfred Dales, who cut the throats of his two children, temporarily insane. DOMESTIC TROUBLES. Inquiries show that Priestley was seriously involved in domestic troubles six years ago. He took an hotel at Carlton, and within two years he lost all his money. He then deserted the woman, who passed as.his wife, and her child, but recently he again got possession of the child. It was this child that he shot in Albert Park. THE GREAT SOUTHERN RAILWAY. PERTH, Feb. 27. . The Western Australian Land Company has offered to sell to the Government the Great Southern Railway for .£1,200,000.