AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XX, Issue 5884, 21 April 1886, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY.

(Per 8.8. Waihora at the Bluff.) (PER UNITED PRfeSS ASSOCIATION.) Melbourne, April 14.— Robert Harper and Co., who recently, imported several valuable Leicester sheep, which were dia* troyed by the Stook Inspector at Williams* town, as having been imported contrary to the regulations prohibiting the importation of stock into this colony, have, through their solicitors, written to the Chief Inspector of Stock, informing him unless steps are at onoe taken in the direction of compensation, legal proceedings will be instituted for the recovery of dama^i The captain of the steamer Parramat* Vfor landing these sheep, has been fined M. The early closing disturbance in the suburbs has now quite subsided* A protest against the proposed annexation of the New Hebrides by France was presented to the Premier on Friday last by a deputation representing the Melbourne Presbytery. In the protest the Presbytery earnestly asks the Government to continue their efforts to prevent the Home Government yielding to the demands of France, for the reason that handing over the islands to that Power would interfere disastrously with the Christian missions carried on there by the Presbyterian Church, and that grievous injury would be infiioted. on the natives ; and, moreover, that suoh action would be contrary to the express wishes of the natives themselves, Mr Gillies suggested that the Church might bring considerable influence to bear through its representatives at Home. Sydney, April 14— Public meetings have been held in the different Buburbs to protest against the Frenoh annexation of the New Hebrides. The Hon John Douglas has arrived here. The object of his visit is to confer with the Premier on matters relating to the administration of New Guinea; An interview has taken place in which a different scheme to that proposed by Mr Griffiths was submitted. Mr Douglas proceeds to Melbourne to have an interview with the Premier of Victoria on the same subject. At the Water Police Court on Monday, Edward E. Brown Holt waa oharged with having -embezzled £1400, received on. aocoant of the Bank of New Zealand wnile he was manager. This charge was withdrawn, as there was no evidence. Holt was next oharged with having appropriated a cheque entrusted to him by John William Cliff for payment to Mills and Pile. Accused, who reserved his defence, was committed for trial at the quarter sessions to be held on the 20th May* a Bail was allowed in two sureties. A third charge of having, as servant of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agenoy Company, stolen a cheque and money amounting to £1500 was adjourned till Thursday next,