AUSTRALIA.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5570, 20 May 1896, Page 3

AUSTRALIA.

[Per Press Association.] THE MEAGHER-DEAN CASE. SYDNEY, Mat 19. The full Court has called upon Meagher to 'show cause on Friday why he should not be struck off the rolls. Mrs Dean is suing for a divorce. AN INVESTIGATION. Judge Murray lias been appointed to conduct the investigation into Mr Varney Parkes's charges against the Public Works Committee of the Legislative Assembly. ATTEMPTED SUICIDE. LAUNCESTON, Mat 19. John Sykes, a well-known solicitor, was arrested on a charge of causing a forged cheque for .£I2OO to be presentod at the Commercial Bank of Tasmania. Accused was admitted to bail, and, on his release, wired to Dr Cole, his brother-in-law, to come to him. On the latter's arrival he found that Sykes had cut his throat, but the wound is not likely to prove fatal. THE IMPERIAL ZOLLVEREIN. MELBOURNE, Mat 20. Lord Brasscy, speaking at the Dairying Exhibition, said he woxild be extremely glad to see the proposed Imperial Zollverein realised, bnt as a practical man he was hound to recognise that the difficulties were great, ; because the advantages to all parts of the empire would not be identical, some being in a highly developed state in regard' to ability to manufacture produce, and others in an early stage, and their industries more susceptible to competition. . DROUGHT AND RABBITS. ADELAIDE,' Mat 20. Severe drought prevails in the northern districts, and the rabbits are spreading with alarming rapidity, causing a large amount of destruction.