NEW SOUTH WALES.

West Coast Times, Issue 4736, 7 October 1884, Page 2

NEW SOUTH WALES.

Sydney, September 27. The railway proposals of Government, as enunciated by the Treasurer on Wednesday evening, met with pretty general approval, but it is scarcely likely the scheme will be accepted in its entirety. The lines to be constructed, aje twenty in number, aggregating 1490 miles, at a cost of something like fourteen millions. The extension in the city is to cost half a millioii, without [land resumptions* It is expected that the works will extend over seven years. The Land Bill is not yet out of danger as its passage in the Assembly is likely to be retarded by Sir John .Robertson and Mr Taylor, but their opposition will only be of a temporary nature. The action brought by a late messenger in the Government service against the Herald for libel, resulted in a verdict for defendants. Plaintiff had lent money to a number of Civil servants, and comments on his proceedings formed the subject of the libel.

The mysterious death, of Mrs Payne at Wollahra, has not been satisfactorily cleared up. The verdict at the inquest amounted to one of murder against some person or persons unknown. There was no evidence to show how deceased took the poison. The Sanitary Conference, which has been sitting during the week, decided upon recommending the establishment of a quarantine outpost at Sing George's Sound, and another at some point in the northern part of Queensland. After a long period of drought, rain commenced to fall yesterday all over the country. It is very much wanted. Judge Manning was able to question the lunatic Cresswell during a lucid interval, and elicited from him how he came by the injuries on his hands, and further that his name was Cresswell. Several witnesses asserted that the man was identical with Arthur Orton. Sir William Manning, without deciding affirmatively that the lunatic was not Arthur Orton, said that there was not that preponderance of evidence that would justify him in releasing the lunatic to the Ortons.

'A collision, which very narrowly escaped being attended with fatal consequences, occurred in the harbour on Thursday morning between a North Shore ferry boat and a coasting Steamer. Both were much damaged. This is the second collision that has occurred within the last week.

The railways of the Colony pay 5% per cent profit. There is a great agitation against the China steamers taking a good deal of coasting freight at cheaper rates than the Colonially owned vessels.

QUEENSLAND,

A motion affirming the principle of local option was carried in the Assembly. Both Mr Griffiths and Sir T. M'llwraith spoke in approval. The former said the new Licensing Bill would contain the principle in some form.