AUSTRALIAN ITEMS.

Waikato Argus, Volume XIV, Issue 1500, 6 March 1903, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN ITEMS.

CABLEGRAMS.

[PEK UNITED PKKSS ASSOMATIONj [BY ELECTRIC TET.IfOBI?H COPVUIOKTj

THE BIBLE-BURNING. BbISBANK, March o. Tho Methodist Conference Mission mooting adopted a resolution regarding the Bible - binning. expressing their indignation and apprehension of the tendency to revive the worst spirit of eccleeitistic-.il antagonism on the part of the Roman Catholic Church, and that the product would have disastrous results among: the Fijiaua. Melbourne, March o. The Methodist Conference adopted a resolution condeinning the Bibleburning as an atrocious act and deliinsult offered, not only to the people of Fiji, but to world-wide Protestantism. Father Eongier, in reply to Rev. Mr Burns, wrote to the Fiji Times stating that pallaving the usual practice of the Catholic Bisters at. Railihdi he hHd burned a biscuit box and kerosene tin of old Catholics books, church material and soiled useless Wesleyan Testaments and hymn books. _ The Sisters were not actuated by hostile feelings or spirit of wanton destruction.

Fijian files by the Miowera contain accounts of the Bible burning affair. The first reference to the incident appeared iu the "Western Pacific Herald, of February lyth, wherein it stated that mouths previously practically the whole of tho Fijian inhabitants in the province of Mamosi, who hitherto professed to be Wesleyana, turned Roman Catholics. This caused no little no little excitement amongst the people. Various reasons were given for the occurrence. The Herald added that the matter advanced another stage yesterday. It S!%ys : 'Wo are iufortued on reliable authority that some 213 S Bibles, belonging to the Namosi people, wero publicly burned at. the Catholic Mission station at Naililidi.' Tbo next issue of tho Herald contained a letter from Father Rougier, declaring that the statement was false and adding;: ' 1 feel certain you hive been misled by some malicious, ill—wishing individuals.* On February 21 the S'lvan Times published a letter signed by the Eev. W. A. Burns, Wesleyun missionary, traversing Father Kongier's denial, and goes on to say that there are so many reputable Witnesses with so much substantial corroboration that oue might calmly invite all risks of a lawsuit upon the evidence, and adds : ' I fearlessly asserted that, except for tha number said to have been burned, the statement of the Herald is perfectly correct.' AUSTRALIAN FINANCES. BniSBANE, March 4. THE Premier to-day received a cable from London advising that Australian 3 per cents, were quoted at !K). This probably is tho lowest figure that could be reached. It is further intimated that rumours concerning the depressed state of the London market weal caused by the failure of the Now Zealand loan. The cable concludes thiit the sources are engaged in other directions. This is taken to mean that numerous loans are projected from other countries on tho London market, and will absorb all the present resources available. The wordy crusade regarding Australian finances is ended and is taken to indicate that tho attack against the colonial securities has ceased. These advices will probably induce the Government to withhold their loan for the present. THE MAIL CONTRACTS. Melbourne. Ma ch o. Sir Edmund Barton states that he expected the notification of tl i termination of tho Peninsula ai i Orient mail contracts. The British Postmaster had acted on behalf of tbo parties interested. Ho hoped to get a quicker service under the new contract. Provision would also have to be made in accordance with the Australian Postal Act for tho employment of only white labour on the steamers. He believed this cbauge would be effected without any great trouble. AN ETHNOLOGICAL Dl .- COVERY. Sydney, March 4. An interesting ethnological discovery has been made at Batemain's Bay, on the site of tho prehistoric camp, which has yielded a large collection of polished stone axes and other warlike implements. A fine series of rock drawings were also discovered. It is thought they were connected with the sacred ceremonies of the ancient blacks. THE CABLE AGREEMENT. Melbourne, March o. Sir Edmund Barton says that tho proposed cable agreement covers the objection raised by tho Chamber of Commerce. The clause provides that the contracting company cannot sell cables between Australia and England without giving the two Governments the option of purchase. DESPERATE SUICIDE. Brisbane, March o. A well-known miner named Green left a note in his hut that ho intended going to the bush to colle3t a pile of brushwood, which he meant to set fire to, then mount unci blow out his brains. The police discovered at the scene of tho fire bi'V.an remains among the ashes. ' VICTORIAN RAILWAYS. Melbourne, March 6. It is understood that Mr Hudson, the general manager of the Tasmanian railways, and formerly in tho service of tho Now Zenland Railway Department, has been offered one of tho vacant railway Commissicnerships. VICTORIAN PARLIAMENT. Melbourne, March u. Tho Legislative Council has adjourned owing to tho death of Mr Thoruey. The Assembly's message regarding the Reform Bill will bo considered to-morrow. CYCLING. Sydney, March 6. The £IOOO Cycle Handicap has been postponed till Friday owing to a thunderstorm. EARTHQUAKE SHOCK. Adelaide, March o. An earthquake at Nairno shook tho houses and opened the doors. GOLD EXPORTS, Mi'.LiiOL'RNK, March 2. Two hundred thousand sovereigns ■were to-day shipped for South Africa.