AUSTRALIA.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXI, Issue XVII, 24 October 1903, Page 21

AUSTRALIA.

The Federal Minister for Ci>»tu)M han ordered that the examination of interstate passengers' luggage at Sydney, Melliourne, ami Adelaide shall eeaae. Mr Govctt, chairman of the l.ake View Consols mine. West Australia, addressing the shareholders, referred to an ingenious conspiracy organised by touts to forestall the company’s cables respecting the mine The manager had. he stated, been compelled to closely watch the employees. Attempts to salt the battery with samples had been detected and all the suspects had Iwen dismissed. MORALS IN VICTORIA. The Victorian State Governor, speaking at the Diocesan Festival, said that there was too much gambling ami drinking in Victoria, as well as other evils, which seemed to indicate that the elementary perceptions of right and wrong had been lost. DESPERATE remedy. An Adelaide man named Kirk was bil.ten by a snake. While, the reptile was still fastened to his linger he picked up a gur with his other hand arid shot it. With the second barrel he shot off the finger. Kirk's brother some lime ago was similarly bitten and chopped off a finger. -FEDERAL HIGH (GI RT. The Federal High Court held its first sitting in Sydney. It was a brilliant function. The first case was an appeal against the Supreme Court’s decision, in which heavy damages were awarded against the Government for injuries caused through the fall of a telephone wire. The case is unfinished. CHURCH INION. The Bishop of Melbourne, in opening the Church Assembly, said that the articles sent down by the Presbyterian C hurch of Australia as a basis for Protestant union contained little Io which the Church of England would wish tn object, but they did not cover the parts of the ground where ft difference oi opinion was likely to find expression. The proposal would receive the respectful and careful consideration which so important an invitation demanded. FEDERAL CAPITAL SH E. In a full House, the galleries being densely crowded. Hie Senate resumed the debate on the Capital Site Bill. The discussion was again very animated, centring chiefly round the 1000-mile area, which was strongly opposed. From the speeches it soon became evident that Bombala was most favoured, and Tunnit out of the running so far as the Senate is concerned, mid when ir came to a vole the Senate by 19 to 10 ehose Bombaln for iu-xrtioii in the bill. A scheme for an elaborate ballot similar Io that Inken in the House of Representatives was abandoned. The various sites were put. in the ordinary way. Mr I’ulsford (New South Wales) moved to place Lyndhurst before Tiunut. This was negatived by 21 to six. Air Fraser (Victoria) r.iovod in favour of Albuvy. but this was negatived by 23 to six. Air Clemons (Tasmania) brought Hie climax by moving the insertion of Bombala. which was carried amidst considerable excitement and cheering. Tiunut was then formally eliminated. The “Sydney Alovning Herald” sayn that the Senate’s selection of Bombala reduces the situation to one of absurdity. as probably was intended from the first. The “Telegraph” says I hat the decision seems to extinguish all chance of settlement by this Parliament. Both papers complain of the treatment ot New South Wales. The “Telegraph adds that New South Wale, is the victim of a gigantic confidence trick, ns Senator Alillin put it. They might look' forward to having the question passed on to .-von a third Parliament. un!< sn it gives a solid vote against the Gov eminent, which treated it so badly. The Tiunut and Bombaht T’arliatncntary sections arc both very firm. The feeling in Parliamentary circles is that neither will give way. Though the Government mny invite a conference of the two Chambers. there is not much likelihood of an agreement.