AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1629, 18 December 1905, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

By telegraph, Press Ass’n, Copyright Sydney, Dec 16. The return- of a trading steamer from the Marshall Islands shows a complete cbauge of attitude on the part of both authorities and the German Company. Not only have the prohibitive regulations been rescinded, but thero is an evident de< sire on a’l sides to disclaim furthor hostile intentions. The natives welcomed the return of the British vessel and promised abundant trado. H.M.B. Powerful, when well out to sea, wirelessly announced the approaoh of other warships to harbor. H.M.S. Pioneer brings news that owing, to a breakdown after loaving Colombo, the Pyramus is undergoing a general overhaul at Ba'avia before coming on to Australia. The Ps.yohe remains with her.

Befo-o the Lands Commission tho consensus of opmion of pastoralists was that the pastoral industry was a hazardous undertaking, owing to droughts and heavy losses. Tho Central Division lands were not fit for settlement without expensive improvement*, which were outside the means of small settlors.

Melbourne, Dec 16,

In tho House of Representatives tho Electoral and Sugar Excise Bills passed tboir third reading. The Senate’s amendments to the Contract Immigran's’ Bill were adopted. Tho sreond rtaling of the Capital Site Bill will be taken to-day. The Senate, by 12 to 11, negatived the second reading of the Manufacturers’ Encouragement Bill. Ono member declared it a sham and a fraud, aud others that it [ wes worth nothing. James Walsh, la'e aeting-ehief accountant of the Railway Department, has been sentenced to 12 months for embezzlement of the Department’s money. The amount involved is £I4OO, lost in speculating on mining. A cliuso has bean inserted in the Electoral Bill, making it punishable for a candidate three months before an election to make contributions to any public association, including charitable institutions. The Marine Board granted Captain Mylins, late master of the La Belle, a second mate’s certificate

At the inquest on Scanlon, hia mother failed to throw any light on the tragedy. She said she left tor son and daughter talking amicably, and sho tly after heard shots. She deaied that her eon absented himself from home on account of altercations, or her refusal to supply him with funds.

A fall of a pole at Wirth’s circus killed the little daughter of the Rev. Dunstan, and injured others.