AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1432, 15 December 1886, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Sydney December 9 Up to December 7'h 2924 persons had obtained relief from the Government Depot, and 1525 persons had been found employment* The Hospital authorities arc urging the completion of the building In McQuarrie street.

Beach has been entertained at a complimentary picnic. The case against Wright and Heaton for alleged railway frauds tus been postponed until Febmary or March. Three material witnesses for tbe Crown are absent, and cannot be found. Defendants complain of the delay. Political matters just now am not very active, but some members of the Opposition continue to address m eti« s/s.

£ The new Chief Jnst oe has * ran sworn la and entertained by the bar Alderman A. J. i ihy has been elector Mayor of Sydney by a majority of envois over Alderman Harris The cboic<la popular. The A.b.N. t'ornpiny’* first has been disposed of to th« Qm ml nd hipping Company for £2 ;0 COO, it.obi'Mvc of wharves and p opert:es. I has transpired that Hnddart and P*rser were prepared to bid a higher sum. The new concern will bo the Doited Austral-an Shipping Company, and probably commence running in February next.

Very besvy rains have fallen over the country, and in some places per tens * f the railway line have been washed awa>. The ralnf ll in the central ard southern districts of Queensland has been the heaviest known for five years Cooktown, December 6 The Dutch war steamer Trump recently punished tne nat ves of tbe New Guinea coast for acts of attempt' d pirecv. The crew landed a d burnt a native vi lage. Muxboubne, Decembe 8 A large deputation of shopkeepers waited on the ; render to ask for the 16peal of tbe Early Closing of Shops Act They pointed ou v that, the compulsory clauses Indicted great hardship and in some cases absolute ruin on some classes of shopkeepers. Mr Gi lies add it was Impossible to do anything this suasion. The propcssl to piece £4OOO on the Estimates for the Prison Gate Brigade of the Salvation Army was defeated by one vote.