AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1608, 13 July 1887, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Sydney. July 2. The Premier's scheme for the celebration of the centenary has been accepted by the Assembly, but as a whole meets with opposition- from the Press. It ia proposed to transform Lachlan Swamps, hitherto used as a water reserve, Into a centennial park, m tho midet of whioh Is to be erected a fc'tate house, to be used as a sort of national store house for relios, and a general meeting-place for national objects. It was also proposed to add s> mausoleum for the remains of distinguished colonists, but this met with opposition 'and was withdrawn, The oosfc of making the park ia £150,000, and of constructing the building, £50,000, tha whole of which sum is to be reoouped by the sale of park lands, so that it Is claimed that the scheme will ooit nothing. The Payment of Members Bill, by *hioh £300 a year will be granted, has passed the Assembly. The Government were divided, the conduct of the measure being left to Mr Garrett. An attempt was made to bring the measure into operation next session — that is, m the courao of a few weeks — but Sir H. Parkas resolutely opposed it, and threatened to wreck the Bill altogether if its operation were not delayed until the next Parliament. So it wsb eventually agreed. It Is yet doubtful what course the Conn oil will follow; [From the cable measago published ia another column it will be seen the Bill was rejected by the Oounoil.] A petition has been presented from tho Pacific Mail Company, asking for payment of certain arrears due m 1886. Tho Government has no intention to take tht matter into consideration. The small-pox soare has apparently com. raenoed and ended with the. man Alexander. It Is a mild case without any complications ; prompt measures were taken by the health authorities, and so far there has been no spread of tha disease. [Later news ia to the effect thai four fresh oases have appeared,] Mr Charles Caßpersohn, .... assistant manager of the Telegraph Department, has most mysteriously disappeared. Soma olothes were found m a boat, hut the police do not think Caßpersohn has committed suioide. He had no control of department funds, but It Is understood he was privately involved. Business continues very dull, and several failures are announced. The unemployed are holding meetings, but their number is not large. It is believed with the works to be Bhortly undertaken that there will be plenty of employment. H M S. Nelson will leave Sydney about the 16th, for a long cruise among the islands. She will be accompanied b» H.M.S. Opal, and visit Fiji »nd New Galneii Mbluoubnb, Jaly 2. » The Melbourne Cricket Club have cabled to W. G. Grace, offering hint £1500 for his own and wife's expenses to join the team. W. R. Peat Is to receive £800 and all expenses. Brisbanb, July 2. Two foreigners have been arrested at Cooktown. It is sapposad . they are escapees from New Caledonia. They stated that they had called ia anltallau venal for the New Guinea Coast, and had been wrwked. They had undergone great hardships m the bush, and been ohaied by natives. '