LATEST AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Kumara Times, Issue 2861, 3 December 1885, Page 2

LATEST AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[REUTERS TELEGRAMS.] By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. DEATH OF MAJOR-GENERAL SIR PETER SCRATCHLEY. POLITICS IN NEW SOUTH WALES. WANT OF CONFIDENCE DEBATE. PASSING THE FEDERATION ENABLING BILL. TAMPERING WITH THE HORSE COMMOTION. (Received December 3, 1.30 a. m.) Melbourne, December 2. Telegrams from Cooktown report that by latest arrivals from New Guinea news is brought that Sir Peter Scratchley, the High Commissioner, is seriously ill with fever. (Received December 3, noon.) Brisbane, December 3. A telegram from Townsville announces the death of Major-General Sir Peter Scratchley, High Commissioner of New Guinea. General Scratchley, who has been suffering from jungle fever some ten days, was returning from New Guinea to Australia in the steamer Governor Blackall, and died while the vessel was between Cooktown and Townsville. Sydney, December 3. The debate on the vote of want-of-confidence, introduced by Sir John Robertson as an amendment to the address in reply, came to a close in the Legislative Assembly last night. The division taken on the amendment was rejected by a majority of two only, the Government securing 58 votes only against 56. There was an unusually large house, only two members being absent. (Received December 3, 1.11 p.m.) Melbourne, December 3. The Federal Enabling Bill was finally passed by the Legislative Council last night. The Hon. Mr Pearson offers a reward of £IOOO for the discovery of the persons who tampered with his racehorse Commotion, which he states was wilfully injured on the 3rd October last.