AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Kaikoura Star, Volume XIV, Issue 758, 24 July 1894, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

SYDNEY, July 20 Barraba murderers were executed today. Lees walked to scaffold, and was apparently indifferent to the fate that awaited him.

Cummins, however, was in fainting condition, and had to be wheeled there. This was largely due to fact that he had attempted suicide early in morning by opening a vein in his arm with piece of penknife, which he had succeeded in secreting ever since his arrest. Deed was only discovered in time to prevent death.

Both men died without a struggle. Lees’ confession states that Mackay, murdered man, caught hold of a third man who was with them, named Campbell or Johnson, and when alarm was raised refused to release him. Lees then leaned over the counter and shot Mackay. Requiem Mass celebrated in St. Mary’s Cathedral today tn memory of President Carnot’s death. Ceremonv was of most impressive character. The congregation numbered several thousand. Governor and representative of Governor of Queensland were amongst those present; also Admiral BowdenSmith and Judges and Consuls. PERTH (W.A.), July 20 Another sensational discovery made at Kurnalpi. Brophy and party, at depth of 40 feet, struck reef of nearly pure gold, exceeding those in Bayley’s Reward and Londonderry mines in richness.

MELBOURNE, July 19 Govt Analyst found traces of arsenic in exhumed body of busband of Mrs Needle, accused in the Junken case. Sufficent arsenic found in bodies of Mrs Needle’s children to have caused death.

SYDNEY, July 20 Lees, in his speech from the scaffold, declared that Cummins was innocent, and denied that he himself was guilty of the murder. Cummins was practically dead before the bolt was drawn. It has been snowing continuously for past 6 days. Fears are entertained for safety of steamer Duckenfield from Napier. Steamer Phoebe sent to search. One hundred shearers nt Wagga refused to sign agreement, and have formed a camp. Rouseabouts at Coonambie station refused to work for less than 35s a week. Shearers are working under old agreement. Force of police despatched to Bourke in anticipation of difficulties with the shearers. BRISBANE, July 20 While the roll was being called at Wellshot station a shearer named Ashton drew a revolver when another shearer was going to sign the agreement, and sub-inspector Carr, thinking that Ashton was about to shoot, fired, wounding Ashton, it is believed, fatally. Carr was arrested.