AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2091, 5 November 1880, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Bx Tbisqbaph.] [Per a.B. Wakatipu, at Wellington.] SYDNEY, October 30. The " Daily Telegraph’s ” special reporter wires that the general idea at Bermague, relative to the disappearance of Messrs Larmount, Young, and party, ia that foul play has been used. It ia thought that the murders were committed at sea and the bodies dropped overboard, with atones attached. The idea ia supported by the unnecessary weight of the stones remaining in the boat, which are too heavy for mere ballaat, and also the halyards and other running rigging are missing from the boat. The public banquet to the Duke of Manchester yesternight was a great success. The speeches, however, were merely conventional. The prospects at Temora continue unvaryingly good. The reefing promises to be of importance, but there is still a lack of water, and moneyless diggers have no show. The report of the Bank of New South Wales recommends the payment of a dividend of 15 per cent., a bonus of 2h per cent.,£sooo to be added to the reserve fund, and £2500 only to be carried forward. ADELAIDE, October 30. The subject of a Transcontinental Railway to Port Darwin was brought forward in the Assembly on the 28th, and a hope was expressed that the Premier would consider it during the receoa. The Premier said he was convinced that the only feasible plan during this generation would be by the concession of land grants to capitalists willing to undertake the construction. A message from the Governor has recommended a reduction of the amount of the Local Courts Bill from £SOO to £4OO, and the granting an appeal to superior Courts on questions of fact and law, these complying with a strongly expressed desire of the House. MELBOURNE, October 30th. In Ned Kelly’s trial the chief witness was Constable Mclntyre, whose evidence, identical with what ho gave in the former proceedings, was unshaken by cross-examination. The feneral evidence traced the Kellys’ career tom 1878. The trial lasted till 11 p.m., and, being unfinished, the jury were locked up all night. On the following day it was continued, and, when terminated, the jury were twenty minutes absent, and then found a verdict of “Guilty.” The judge was repeatedly interrupted by the prisoner while passing sentence, the latter assuming the role of an injured martyr, and, when removed, seemed quite unconcerned. Mr Sergeant, caterer for the Exhibition, offers to withdraw his action against Mr Munro for the recovery of £SOOO, provided concessions are made him. The matter is likely to be settled. BRISBANE, October 30.

The Council has so altered the Pacific Islanders Bill as is likely to cause its rejection in the Assembly. The police magistrate on Thursday Island reports that the Polynesians attached to the brig Lady Dension, found the body of an European on an island in the Charles Hardy group, and also a ship’s boat broken up. They subsequently found a camp where four men had apparently remained several days. Probably they were a wrecked crow or New Caledonians escaped. The police magistrate at Oooktown reports to the Colonial Secretary that after an official visit to the scene of the recent murder of Chinese at New Guinea, he saw on the beach quite 2000 Natives. He states he has a serious opinion that the density of the Native population in New Guinea must always oppose great obstacles to its occupation by European colonization. He found no vestage of anything belonging to the captured junk.

OHBIBTOHUBOH. Feidat, Novembbb 5. [Before G-. L. Melliah, Esq., B.M.] Deunkbnnbsb. —For a first offence a man was fined 10s and Is cab hire.

Assault. —Alice Greaves was fined 20s for beating Lizzie Jane Bates. Both were disreputable women. FOBGBBY AND UITBEING. —W. H. Hewison was brought up on remand from the 2nd inst,, charged with the above offence. Prisoner was undefended. Evidence was led, which showed that about October 26th he gave a cheque on the Bank of New Zealand for £6 to Edward Hiorns. The cheque purported to be signed by A. M. Clarke. Mr Hiorns detained the cheque, and sent it to the Bank, where is was refused and marked “no account.” The Bank had the account however of A. M Clark, and prisoner was arrested, charged with forging his name and the uttering of the cheque. When arrested prisoner said to the constable that he was starving. When searched he had 10s in silver in his pocket. At this stage Commissioner Broham, who was conducting the case, informed the Court that Mr Clark, an important witness, could not appear on account of detention on his way from up-country by floods. Edward Hiorns was then called, but did not make his appearance. After waiting some time a warrant was ordered to issue for his arrest, and the farther hearing of the case was postponed till two o’clock.