AUSTRALIA.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11501, 6 February 1903, Page 7

AUSTRALIA.

United Press Association—By Eleotrie Telegraph—Copyright. A FRENCHMAN'S CRIME. (Reoeived February 6th, 9.48 a.m.) PERTH, February 5. A Frenchman named Maillot, after purchasing win* at Lauffer'e vineyards, began to destroy the fruit. Mr Lauffer remonstrated and Maillot shot Mm' dead.

/VICTORIAN REFORM BILL. MELBOURNE, February 5. The Legislative Council struck oat of Mie Reform Bill the clause providing for the dissolution of the Council when the Bill became law, and carried an amendment fixing the number of the members at forty-two, instead of twenty-«ix. q EASTERN' EXTENSION CABLE

COMPANY.. - It is now stated that the amount asked few the Tasmanian cable is £70,000.

•N.MV. LABOUR CONFERENCE. SYDNEY, February 5. The Labour Conference has closed. It

adopted c. resolution condemning the addition of the title of "Lord" to the Mayoralty, as another link in the chain of objectionable Imperialism, and in every way opposed to the beet interest* of the community.

THE SILVER CLOUD COLLISION. (Received February 6th, 9.35 p.m.) The Marine Court exonerated all parties in connection with tbe Silrercloud collision. {The oarquentine Silver Cloud collided with « mud puat on January 28th, while leaving the iharbour ad. Ckrence- River to for Najjar. The barquentiue was only e%hftly THE HEAT WAVE IN SYDNEY. (Received February 6th, 1.12 a.m.) SYDNEY, February 5. The heat wave culminated in a steady rain in the city to-night. A HEAVY GALE. MELBOURNE, February 5. A gale is raging along the coast. » The high seas are fast breaking up the Inverlochy wreck. THE DROUGHT RELIEF FUND. The drought relief fund now stands at over £17,000.