AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8200, 2 August 1906, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

THE FLEMINUTON TRAGEDY. MR JWORALL'S EXPLANATION. Received August 1, 9 15 a.m. MELBOURNE, August 1. The Rev. Mr VVoirull, at.the Bar of the House, in explaining the statements in his offending sermon, said ho did not mean that members of Parliament hy actual physical contact caused the death of M'Leod or any ,othor victim of the vion of gambling, but if they had done their moral and oiliuial duty to Pariament by tho law 9 in their possession, or by iutroduoiug legislation as oir cutnstHnces, times, and the voice of the people demand, the tragedy would not have occurred. Mr Worrell having withdrawn, a warm dftbate took plaoe, the personal remarks of Mr Bent and one or two others in reference to Mr Worrall nearly causing several scenes. On the motion of Mr Bent, the word "malioious" was struck out of the condemnatory motion, which was carried by 30 votes to 26. Mr Worrall was recalled, and the Speaker admonished him, concluding with the remark that tie trusted the admonition would have the effect of warning other reckless speakers to be more oaieful in their language when speaking of I public men.

INQUE3T ON M'LEOD

OPEN VERDICT RETURNED,

Received August 1, 11.22 p.m. MELBOURNE, August 1. An open verdiot was returned at the inquest on M'Leod, who was kiofeed to death at Fiemington. The Coroner held that there was no evidence to warrant the commitment of any peison, or to show bow the dislocation of the neok, which caused death, resulted. A\ ACTION AGAINST TBK COMMONWEALTH GOVERNMENT. Received August 1, 11.16 p.m. SYDNEY, August 1. In the case against the Commonwealth Government, wherein the owner of the ship Envy Bought to make defendants responsible for the seizure of the vessel by the New Guinea offloials, the High Court decided that though certain resolutions had been passed oy the Federal Parliament accepting New Guinea as part of the Commonwealth territory, the necessary proclamation in relation to Government territory had not been issued. Strictly speaking, there was no relation of New Guinea to the Commonwealth. Therefore tue Coramenwealth Government was not respon sible for the acts of the New Guinea offloials. The case was dismissed.

RACING. Received August 1, 11.22 p.m. SYDNEY, August 1. Aohilles has been scratched for the Epsom Handicap, and the Metropolitan Handicap. AN APPEAL CASE, Beoeived August 1, 11.22 p.m. MELBOURNE, August 1. In the appeal case, Oolman versus the Victoria Racing Club, contesting the power of the Olub to charge bookmakers fees, the Full Court deoided that the bye-law was invalid, and gave a verdict for Oolman. The Club intend to appeal to the High Court. A DIVORCE CASE. [Received August- 1, 9.30 a.m. SYDNEY, August 1. The decree nißi in the Dalley divorce suit has been made absolute. Respondent's application for permanent alimony was withdrawn. NEW ZEALAND STALLION SOLD.

Received August 1, 9.30 a.m. MELBOUKNL, August 1. The New Zealnnd stallion Blaok Diamond, has been sold to Mr Rowan for 18U guineas.

AN INSURANCE CLAIM. Received August 1, 9.30 a.m. PERTH, august 1. The action brought by the Official Reaeiver in Bankruptcy to recover £2,000 from the Mutual Life Insurance Oompuny, alleged to be duo on B. I. Blake's policy, resulted in a verdict for the defendant company. The jury was of opinion that Blako obtained the policy fraudulently, and with the intention of committing suicide. VITAL STATISTICS. Received August 1, 9.15 a.m. SYDNEY, August 1. The annual report of the Metropolitan Health Officer shows that the death rate in Sydney and the suburbs baa further declined to 10.99 per thousand—the lowest on record. The infantile mortality was also the lowest on record. Births numbered 13,769 (including 531 I illegitimate). The general birthrate shows a slight upward tendenoy,