AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2515, 1 May 1882, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

[Br TbiiESbaph.] [Per s.s. Rotomabana, at the Bluff.] MELBOURNE, April 25. The heavy rain whioh fell on Sunday and part of Monday was general over the colony, and is doing much good. Jane Southern is suffering from smallpox, os the disease is now fully developed. No other cases are reported. A scare recently occurred at Emerald Hill, but proved unfounded. Every possible precaution is being taken by the health authorities to prevent the spread of the disease, and so far they have been successful. On Sunday last the city was startled by a report of an attempted murder and suicide. Tha scene was the Axford Arms Hotel, corner of Bussell and Little Bourke streets. A Hungarian named Sieber, who had been lodging at the hotel, some months ago conceived a liking for Ellen Maher, a girl of eighteen, a niece of the landlord. On Sunday morning while she was performing some domestic work upstairs. Sieber seized hold of her and asked if she was prepared to die, and then dragged her into his room. She screamed for assistance, but Sieber with a loaded revolver kept them at bay for some time. He fired several shots, two at the girl and the others at those who came to the rescue. The girl was hit in the hip, but fortunately is not much injured. Sieber stabbed himself with a large butcher’s knife, but is still alive. Ho was taken to the hospital, whore he tried to hasten his death. Jealousy was the cause. Mr Berry attended a soiree given in honor of Doctor Quick at Sandhurst. He said that if the Ministry was not turned out before he would take care that the country should bo educated to pronounce in favor of his principles at tbe ballot box at tho next general election. The eight hours' demonstration passed off successfully on the 21st. On the morning of the 22nd the body of Thomas tValsrn Young, a man of the larrikin class, was found dead in the Friendly Society Gardens, where the demonstration bad been held. He bad some external injuries, and another young man was arrested on suspicion, as it is said that deceased bad been brutally kicked to death. Dean Slattery, one of the oldest and most popular of the Catholic clergy, has died. The state of trade is not very satisfactory, and several meetings of creditors are announced. Mr Carlisle, a parliamentary draughtsman, temporarily fills the position of Assistant Olerk to the Assembly. The Selections Association is forming at Mudgee to agitate for a reform of the land laws, including the remission of interest on the balance of selectors’ purchase money. ADELAIDE, April 25. The insurance frauds case occupied all last week. The principal evidence was given by Hicks, the approver, who stated that he himself planned the scheme, and that it was readily taken up by Barber and Forsyth. Dr. Thomson was first applied to, but upon his refusal, Dr. Horton, one of the prisoners, consented to give a certificate for Weatherhead for a consideration. Dr. Beany was offered and refused a bribe of £SOO to giro a false certificate of death. Tho whole affair seems to have been managed with very little skill, but in a most barefaced manner. BRISBANE, April 25. A telegram from Harberton states that a reprisal party is organised on account of the recent murder of Stone and Torepel. A general aggression on the part of tbe aborigines was dispersed, and a Camp of twentyseven blacks were brought in and six guns.