AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIII, Issue 7966, 17 February 1906, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

MAILS .SUBSIDY DISPUTE. , Received February 16, 10.55 a.m. < BRISBANE, February 16. ] The steamer Papuan refused to , take the mails for New Guinea with- , out payment of a certain poundage ( rate. The mails have been lying f alongside the vessel all night. The inoideut is ' regarded as a trial of strength between the Federal Government and private owners where no mail contract has been made or declared, ACTION AGAINST THE CAPTAIN Keoeived February 17, 1.0 a.m. ' . '' " 1 BRISBANE, February 6. . The Papuan returned to port and , took delivery of the mails. An aotioa is pending for an infringement of the Postal Act. SIR J. G. WARD. ADVOCATES RECIPROCITY. Received February 17, 1.16 a.m. SYDNEY, February 16. Sir J. G. Ward, in an interview, urged there should be reciprocity in articles* of trade between Australia and New Zealand, as they have interests in common. killed;by lightning. Received February 17, 1.16 a.m. BRlSßANE.'February 16. While taking clothes off aline, two girls, named Crouch,' were killed by lightning, at Endover. Their mother was rendered senseless, but recovered. J . .... MR DBAKIN'S LEADERSHIP. Received February 16, 8.39 a.m. LONDON, February 15. The limes eulogises Mr Deakin'a dexterous leaderehp, also the output of the session. It hopes the legislators' common sense and sound political instinct wiil overcome the obstacles to immigration legislation, which is vital and urgent. THE OLD AGE PENSION. MELBOURNE, Fflbruary 16. The Federal Old-age Pensions Commissionis drafting its report. It has been deoided to abandon the idea of making the pension available to women at the age of 60, and to put them on the same footing as men, making the age 65. The change Will result in, a saving of £400,000 a year. Received February 17, 1.16 a.m. SYDNEY, February 16. The Federal Old-age Pensions Committee of the Federal Parliament recommend the apportionment of £500,000 as a fund to provide the pension. DR DANYSZ. A LABOUR COUNCIL ALARMED SYDNEY, February 16. The Labour Council is creatly alarmed at the proposal to allow Dr Danysz to inoculate rabbits with a fatal disease, probably communicable to man. It urges the Government to prohibit its introduction and dissemination. FIRE IN THE BROKEN HILL MINE. Received February 16, 10.1 a.m. SYDNEY, February 16. A fire broke out in the Junction Mine at Broken-Hill. A shot wps fired in the 550 ft level, and it is supposed that a spark set fire to the splintered timbers in that part of the mine, where a "creep" occurred 1 nine years ago. The pungent smoke compelled the evaouation of she mine, and penetrated the workings of the British Mine, where work hid to be stopped. Strenuous efforts are being made to cope with the'flre. Received February 17, 1.16 a.m. SYDNEY, February 16. The fire in the Junction Mine is still burning, but isunder control.