AUSTRALIAN CABLES.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 9, 11 January 1901, Page 1

AUSTRALIAN CABLES.

By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright Sydney, yesterday. ' Sir J. R. Dickson, Federal Minister of Defence, died early this morning at the Australian Club, where he had been staying since his arrival in Sydney. He suffered from diabetes for a long time, and the exc: lions in connection with the Commonwealth celebrations aggravated the omplaient, but until yesterday morning, when he became unconscious, it was thought he would rally. His two daughters were present at his death. The other members of his family, including Lady Dickson, are expected from the North to-day. Mr Dickson was in his G9th year. He was twice married. He leaves a grown-up family by his first wife. For many years he was a prominent political figure in Queensland. He was a Liberal and a Freetrader, and took a leading part in the Federal movement, being chiefly responsible for inducing Queensland to join the union. He acted as the colony’s delegate in England on the Commonwealth Bill. It will be remembered that he received a knighthood only at the beginning oj this year. The New Zealand troops from South Africa leave for New Zealand by the steamer Orient on Satnrday. The steamer first goes to Brisbane, and thence direct to Dunedin. Mr Seddon, speaking on the Sierra, referred to the magnificent enterprise which resulted in such fine vessels running between America and .Australia. " As head of the Government, he declared there was room for all, though they could not be expected to help another service which might injure the colony, or a company who had long been identified with it. If Mr Spreckles kept on fair, legitimate grounds, he would be sure to gain support, but the moment anything was done unfriendly to his colony or nation, they would resent it in a way that would not be forgotten. A number of New Zealand members have gone to Melbourne, including Mr Wilford (who undergoes an operation for a throat affection),. Sir‘Maurice O’Rourke, Messrs Stevens and Palmer.

A number of New Zealanders were informally entertained by Mr Witheford aboard the Sierra. Mr Seddon welcomed the vessel as the precursor of a new connection with America. The company toasted the Oceanic Company, and expressed regret at tho severance of old ties.

• The City to-day presented a strong contrast to the gaiety of the past fortnight. Most of the visitors have departed, the flags and other decorations have disappeared, and the unillumined, uncrowded streets to-night seem abnormally quiet. At the Cycling Carnival, Martin, after winning the mile scratch from Green, the English crack, was beaten by Beauchamp in the ten-mile event. Megson third. The New South Wales and Victorian Post-masters-General have decided that, as the Pacific cable contract has been executed, all the parties should accept the offer of the Eastern Extension Company, to reduced rates over the Cape cable, which therefore come into force from February Ist. Mr Seddon, interviewed in reference to the Fiji trouble, said in Sydney there was great apathy in regard to the matter. The people did not understand how closely the general question lay to the Commonwealth of Australia. He could scarcely' believe the Governor of Fiji could go to the extreme couise indicated, because the Act under which they were working was obsolete, and was passed at a time when the conditions of Fiji were altogether 'different from now. To apply it. now to a man like the Rev. Mr Slade was absolutely improper. He intended to send a"‘ remonstrance. Advantage was taken of the presence of the presence of the blacks in Sydney to hold a corroboree, display of boomerang and spear throwing, and a sham fight at Bota.ny Bay. There was a largo gathering, and an interesting display was given. It transpires that the Cardinal’s absence from the Commonwealth procession was due,not so much to the question of precedence as to trouble about the prayer offered at the swearing-in. The Primate suggested offering the prayer, and his suggestion in the milter was referred to the Cardinal. The latter declined to take any part in the suggested joint prayer. At the last minute the Cardinal submitted a prayer, which proposed offer he was informed was too late to make any alteration: Consequently, he took no part in the procession. It now appears that the rule regarding precedence by seniority refers only to Government House or public functions.

A destructive bush fire has occurred in the Riverina district. Many thousands of acres of grass and a large quantity of stacked and standing wheat has been destroyed. The difficulty at Newcastle has been practically settled. Only two mines are not working. There is an unprecedented demand. A coal famine exists at Adelaide and Melbourne, where the price is up to £3 per ton.

The Baptist Union adopted a resolution emphatically protesting against any one church at public functions being given precedence over other churches, other than that arising from the relative numerical position. It especially denies the right of precedence claimed by the Cardinal as a Catholic dignitary. Brisbane, yesterday. The Queensland proportion of the new South African contingent will be three hundred.

Melbourne, yesterday. A beginning will be made next week to lay a portion of the Cape cable between Durban and Mauritius. The Argus demands that the Federal Ministry take early steps to make a declaration of its policy.