COMMONWEALTH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLI, Issue 12, 16 September 1908, Page 6

COMMONWEALTH.

The Victorian State Government spent about £9OOO in entertaining the American fleet. Madame Ada Crossley and her concert company arrived by the Orontes on September 10. The repairs to the Ilawca have been completed, and the vessel left dock, Sydney, on September 10. In New South Wales last year, 28,807 convictions for drunkenness were recorded, and 78 for sly-grog selling. Sir Thomas Bent, Premier of Victoria, intends to ask Cabinet to invite a squadron of British battleships to visit Australia. Thomas Roseby, a Sydney barrister, has been appointed British Judge of the Joint Court to be established in the New Hebrides under the Franco-British convention. The total convictions for drunkcuncss last year in Sydney numbered 28,807, an increase of 3481 over the previous year. The convictions for sly grog-sell-ing totalled 78, compared with 27 in 1905. Two brothers, named Loughlin, were suffocated by gaseous fumes at Caltowie last week, caused by their mother placing an open pan of burning coals in the bedroom to warm it, all the outlets being blocked. Mr. Deakin is making inquiries as to whether Rear-Admiral Sir Percy Scott's squadron of four first-class cruisers is able to visit Australia, and whether there is a likelihood of a vessel of the type of the American battleships accompanying them. The Marine Court found that the Colac-Pareora collision, on August 29, was due to Captain Jolliffe, master of the Colac, steering a wrong course, and Captain Downie, master of the Parcora, starboarding when the collision was imminent. Both are to show cause why their certificates should not be dealt with. The Westralian elections were held on Friday, the Ministerial and Labour parties both working hard. No complete returns are available yet, but a victory for the Ministry is assured. The main interest centres in the preferential voting system adopted to secure absolute majorities where more than two candidates stand. At the ceremony of the laying of the foundation stone of the new administrative block of buildings now being erected on the northern end of the Town Hall, Melbourne, reference was made to the growth of Melbourne since IS7o—the year when the present Town Hall was opened. In 1870 the area of the city was 4480 acres; in 1908 it is 7400 acres. The population had increased from 55,798 to 98,086 the revenue from £ 101,070 to £315,526 the total sale from £47,406 to £117,643; ratepayers from 10,289 to 26,861; and annual value or ratable property from £711,090 to £1,670,855. The Blackfellow Murders. The police party who pursued “Major” and three other natives implicated in the murders of Messrs. Fettel and Davis, at Turkey Creek, on August 12, succeeded in running to earth the murde’ -s, who were armed. After- several sin had been exchanged, the police shot dead “Major” and two companions, Nipper and Debby. They also secured five other natives. There were no police casualties. The natives fought very bravely, and between 150 and 200 shots were exchanged before the murderers were killed. 'lire ringleader, Major, used three rifles and two revolvers, his gin standing by his side and loading the weapons. The gin was shot in the chest.

Other gins state that they were on their way to murder another white man when overtaken by the police. Governor-General of Australia. The Earl of Dudley, the new GovernorGeneral, arrived by H.M.S. Powerful in Sydney on Wednesday last. The retiring Governor-General (Lord Northcote) took his departure the same day for Brisbane, on route for England. When the Vice-Regal carriage was returning the horses, frightened by the large crowd witnessing the departure, bolted. Constable Connelly seized the reins, and pluekily hung on till the terrified animals were brought to a standstill. Earl Dudley, the new Goveruor-Genera] of the Commonwealth, was accorded an enthusiastic welcome to Melbourne. Lord Dudley Welcomed. The new Governor-General (the Earl of Dudley) officially landed on September 9. and was sworn-in, the pavilion in the Domain, erected in connection with the American fleet festivities, being used for the ceremony. His Excellency was warmly welcomed by a gathering numbering 15,000, great crowds also lining the streets leading from the pavilion to Government House. Tasmanian Budget. The Treasurer’s Budget statement gives the revenue for the current year at £1,004,000, which is £71,500 above the estimate. The expenditure was £912,377. The estimated revenue for next year is £953,879, and the expenditure £946,000, but, owing to the expected falling off in the amount returned by the Commonwealth, he estimated it would end in a deficit of £24,000. In order to meet the reduced Commonwealth returns direct taxation, in the shape of land and income taxes, was proposed. The programme includes free education. The revenue for next year was estimated at £958,000, and the expenditure at £046,000. Visit of American Fleet. The battleship Kansas, which remained in Melbourne when the rest of the Atlantic fleet sailed for Albany, pending the inquiry into the collision between the fleet collier Ajax and the excursion steamer Leura, has taken her departure, ami will re-join the fleet at Albany. It is stated that when she left there were still a hundred American sailors missing. The American fleet arrived at Albany unexpectedly on September 11, but received an enthusiastic reception. The fleet entered in a blinding rain squall, unobserved by the public, who were not expecting the battleships till several hours later. Afghan Strike Methods. The strike of Westralian camel-owners has assumed serious proportions. On the Port Headland, Marble Bar route, 40 armed Afghans have taken possession of the road and will not allow teams with foodstuffs and other materials to proceed inland. All the available police have been sent in pursuit of the strikers. An Inflated Idea. Sir Thomas Bent, Premier of Victoria, who has been indisposed, states that when able to see Mr. Deakin he intends to ask him why England, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia should not contribute to have a navy, ineluding battleships, in the Pacific, and why the United States should not contribute also, making it a joint concern. “America has,” he says, “interests in the Pacific which will be increased when the Panama Canal is completed, and the presence of an Anglo-Saxon navy in the Pacific would steady a lot of other nations. “The countries might borrow the money to construct such a navy. Australia’s share would be about ten millions.” When Mr. Deakin was seen in connection with Sir Thos. Bent’s scheme he asked to be excused saying anything about it. Electrocuted. Two men named MeCrae and Snell were electrocuted in the Hqrsqshqe mine at Kalgoorlie. They were working a crane when they

came into contact with a live trolly wire. A current of 550 volts passed through their bodies, killing them instantly. A Missing Accountant. A warrant has been issued for the surest of Livingstone, treasurer to Mr. J. (j, Williamson, who has disappeared. It is alleged that certain irregularities have been discovered in the account", involving large amounts. Out of Bondage. A party of Gilbert Island natives who, 17 years ago, were recruited and sent to Guatemala, where they were practically; sold as slaves, returned by the steamer Aorangi, the British Government having secured their freedom and paid the cost of repatriation. The party numbers 59. Only ten of them are Gilbert Islanders, the remainder being either their Guatemalan or India® wives and children.