AUSTRALIAN

West Coast Times, Issue 10531, 15 July 1897, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN

Sydney, July 14. The Aorangi is several days overdue from Vancouver. This is said to be caused by the vessel coining down slowly owing to breakdown of forced draught. Trouble is brewing in the Western collieries and the men are balloting as to whether they will give fourteen days' notice -as a protest against the refusal of tho mine proprietors to increase the hovfing rates. Butlcr'sj after repeated request that his hands be released and supplied with writing materials has been granted. The officials are reticent but it is believed colors the statement that he intends to write a confession. The New South Wales Rowing Association rejected tho motion to allow manual laborers, who have never competed for ca^h in other branches of sport, to row as amateurs. For some time pa3t the alleged faulty packing of telephone tunnels recently constructed have given rise to alarm. Several exploratory openings showed that open spaces existed between the roadway and the top of tho tunnels and dangeroussutsidences are feared. Yesterday the Corporation took the matter in hand and sent men to make an examination. The Postal Department men were prevented from filling up certain openings made. The Municipality invoked the aid of the police and city officials arc now making a searching examination. To render police protection Uic Acting-Pre-mier has issued instructions that civic authorities aro not to be interfered wijih The new Land Act is proving moat effective in promoting settlement. Puring tho two years ib has b3eu in opetatiou 4640 families, representing over 23,000 souls, have been settled on laud. In the Legislative Assembly an adjournment was moved to discuss tho taxation decision. A warm attack is proceeding agaiasr Government and the Commissioners for creating a muddle. The Chief Justice of the Equity Court reserved his decision in the appeal against tho laud tax assesment on the grounds the asscsment was issued before the Court of Review was appointed and bef oro the is • sessmenfc books were completed. The judge held that the Commissioners acted illegally in issuing tho taxation notices before the books were completed; that such non-completion rondered the tax i wholly void in opoialiou as far as 1896 taxation was coucerncd. He ordered that tho Commissioner;} be restrained from collecting the tax until the Act was complied with and gave a verdict for plaintiff with costs. The decision Avill have important wide reaching consequences. It is understood the assessment books are not even yet completed. If this proves correct the whole land assessments will be rendered inoperative. 1 Cabinet will consider tho situation. Mkluouune, July 14. The Australian Gold Recovory Coy has given notice of appeal in the recent cyanide process decision. Fred Waugh, 'ja prominent South Mcl- ; bourne footballer, cut his throat owing to i his sweetheart rejecting his addresses. It is a serious but not a fatal wound. ; Brisbane, July 14. ; In tho Assembly, the Acting-Promiev . ptatcd Government had not signed the Japaucse treaty, but expressed themselves in favor of a stipulation treaty between Britain and Japan being made applicable to the colony. Ifc contained a proviso leaving Parliament free in tho direction of restricting or prohibiting influx of Japanese laborers and artisans, Latost \ advices showed Japan consented to tliia ; proviso. "■ Glassey's amendment in the Federation Bill, providing for the popular vote, was carried by 36 to 2S. The discussion on a further amendment to make the colony one electorate has been adjourned Houaut, July 14. Par] iament opened yesterday. The Governor's speech referred to the satisfactory condition of the revenue. This years' surplus is larger than any previous year with one exception. The piornisocl Bills include Crodit Foncier legislation. The Acting- Premier stated tho Federation Bill will be considered at the earliest possible date.