LATEST AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Kumara Times, Issue 2597, 2 January 1885, Page 2

LATEST AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[REUTERS TELEGRAMS.] By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. —. —»••-• GERMAN PROTECTORATE OF . NEW GUINEA, &c. ACTION OF THE COLONIES. BISHOP LUCK EN ROUTE TO AUCKLAND. AN ABSCONDING INSOLVENT ARRESTED. (Received December 31, 3 p.m.) Melbourne, December 31. It is now very unlikely there will be united action on the part of the colonies in protesting against the German protectorate of New Guinea, as differences exist as to the mode of proceeding. South Australia has now definitely declined to join in the proposed protest. Western Australia is unable, as it is a Crown colony. Public meetings are convened here and at other towns in support of the protest. (Received January 1, 1.5 a.m.) January 1. It has transpired that several telegrams have been exchanged between the Hons. Messrs Service and Stout, but that the Victorian and New Zealand Governments have failed to agree as to the form of protest regarding German annexation in the Pacific. Mr Murray Smith, Agent-General in London for Victoria, was yesterday instructed to protest vigorously on behalf of Victoria and Tasmania against the recognition of German claims by the Imperial Government. The protest will state that two colonies are forced to conclude that Earl Derby bus either been deceived by the German Government, or has deceived the colonies ; his supineness of neglect of colonial interests are simply lamentable, and if New Guinea remains unreclaimed, and New Hebrides be unpreserved, the establishment (l) of the colonies must inevitably increase. Reicheldt, the absconding insolvent of Dunedin, has been arrested. (Received December 2, 1.5 a.m.) Sydney, January 1. Bishop Luck, of Auckland, arrived here to-day by the steamship Yarra, from Marseilles. (Received January 2, 1.15 p.m.) January 2. Sailed, the Pacific Mail Company's steamship Australia, yesterday afternoon, for San Francisco via Auckland. Cooktown, January 2. Intelligence has reached here that the German warships have hoisted the Imperial flag at Huon Gulf, on the northern coast of New Guinea.

COLONIAL REVENUES. (Received January 2, 1.5 a.m.) Melbourne, January 1. The Victorian revenue return for the past year shews that the receipts have aniountrd to £6,190,000, heing an increase of £59,000 as compared with the previous year. The railway receipts have increased during the year

by £281,000. The revenue for the quarter ending December 31 amounted to £1,590,030, being an increase of £114,000 as compared with the corresponding period of the previous year. The agricultural report of Australia estimates the total acreage under wheat for the colony at 1,181,000, acres and the average yield 9'70 bushels per acre, leaving 123,000 tons available for export. Adelaide, January 1. The South Australian revenue for the half-year ended December 31 amounts to £981,000, being an increase of £15,000 as compared with the corresponding period of the previous year.