AUSTRALIA.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6128, 15 March 1898, Page 3

AUSTRALIA.

United Press Association— By Electric TelegraphCopyright. Beceived March 35, 1 a.m. THE MAIL STEAMER. SYDNEY, March 14. The Alameda, which left here for Auckland to-day, has £400,000 of specie on board, and Mr Fairfax, of the Sydney Morning Herald, and Mr S. Powers, of the Melbourne Argus proprietary, are passengers. A SUCCESSFUL MUSICIAN. Mr Alfred Hill, late of Wellington, has been elected conductor of the Sydney Liedertafel, out of thirty-eight applicants. . Beceived March 15, 10 a.m. THE FEDERAL BILL. MELBOURNE, March 15. The question is, what chance has the Federal Bill of being accepted when it goes to the people in May? Mr Barton believes that when the New South Wales electors become familiar with the measure they will unquestionably vote for it. The Victorian delegates are greatly divided. Mr Kingston will recommend the constitution to the people of his colony. Sir J. Forrest is reticent. Sir E. C. N. Braddon is not enthusiastic, but as the Convention on the last day accepted his proposal for a guarantee to the States, he thinks that he will have no difficulty in showing that the Bill is on the whole a reasonable one.