AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Waikato Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 3494, 15 November 1894, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(BY KLEOTKIO TELEGRAPH-COPYRIGHT). Sydney, November 13. Owen, accountant of the Joint Stock Bank, at Sunny Corner, was found by the manager in a seemingly unconscous condition with a number of notes scattered about the office, When he had apparently recovered he informed the manager that he had been struck on the head and the bank robbed. The latter had doubts about the accuracy of the statement, and Owen was searched, whereupon the sum of £62 was found concealed in his boots. Owen then confessed, and showed the police where the remainder of the money missing was planted. November 14. Very hot weather has been experienced throughout the colony, and there have been severe atmospheric disturbances with rapid changes. The thermometer fell 25 degrees in Sydney in four hours yesterday, and the barometer rose half an inch, being the most rapid recorded here. The storm centre has passed to the southward in the direction of New Zealand,

The Moneks had only recently opened in business here as skin merchants. In theif; letters they make a vague allusion to; a conspiraevv'against , them;by certain people, and also;!that they had been robbed by clients. The letters are dated a fortnight back and enclosed was a cheque to coyer funeral expenses. Their conduct at several other houses where they stayed had been eccentric. , The Local Government Bill and Land and Income Tax Assessment Bill, have been introduced in the Legislative Assembly. The Utter merely provides the necessary machinery for collecting the;tax without fixing the amount, Perth,, November 13.

A constitutional difficulty has arisen between the Legislative Council ;and the House of Assembly over the former's amendments in the Municipal JJ'll. : The Colouial Secretary upheld the Council's right, declaring both. Houses are practically Houses of Commons.

Serious depredations by wild natives are reported. They attacked Leonard station, where the police party were outnumbered, and Constable BichaixU son and two stockmen were killed The native contingent of the police force deserted to the aboriginals, who have captured 1000 rounds of ammunition and a large quantity of stores. The Government have decided to des> patch a punitive expedition. Melbourne, November 13. An important decision has been given by the Pull Court. The ques» tion was whether calls on shares in the estates of persons deceased that might become due should be regarded as debts and be exempt from probate duty. The Court held that shares and deposit receipt should be taken at the market value, and not on the face values, and calls payable should be treated as debts. . Judgment was therefore entered up in favour of the executors. Newcastle, November 13. The Cardiff Colliery has resumed work with one third of the required number of hands, There seems to be a disposition among the Unionist to accept the reductions in the hewing rate.