AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Waikato Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 3485, 30 October 1894, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH—COPYRIGHT.)

Sydney, October 28. The Premier highly eulogises the services rendered to the colony by Mr McGowan, Commissioner of Taxes for New Zealand, who ha? been visiting Sydney to discuss'the subject of land and income tax. Mr McGowan has sailed for New Zealand. Mr Henniker Heaton has submitted to the Australian Governments his scheme for the reduction of postage rates to England to 2d. per halfounce. for letters. ' The Cabinet will probably consider the matter at an early date. . The Public Works Department has dispensed with 80 officers, thereby saying £IB,OOO annually. .Melbourne, October 27. Three hundred telegraph messengers, receiving the maximum wages, have been retired on six months' compensation, and the vacancies filled at cheaper rates. October 29. Mr Highston, a; resident of New Zealand, has requested the Minister of Agriculture, to grant facilities for the establishing of a condensed milk factory in Victoria, by admitting the requisite machinery into the colony faty free. ' . ( • • Brisbane, October 27. In committee on the Payment of Members Bill, Mr Glassey's amendment, fixing the amount at £250, carried by 27 to 9. ■ The troops landed at Waiwera. Island and arrested the men ivho were, wanted. This demonstration is calculated to have a beneficial effect on the coloured residents. An epidemic, which is baffling the doctors, has occurred at Avoca. A, miner, by the name of French, brought his son to the hospital, and while there the father was seized with a short and severe illness aud died;. The mother camo to see her husband,, and both she and the son died, French's brother attended the'funeral,* and after a short and painful illnessdied too. A girl living in Avoca died in the same way, and the matron of the hospital was stricken but is recovering. 1