LATEST AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Kumara Times, Issue 2943, 6 April 1886, Page 2

LATEST AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[REUTERS TELEGRAMS.] By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. RIOTOUS PROCEEDINGS IN MELBOURNE SUBURBS. THE PROJECTED CONFERENCE OF GOVERNORS AND PREMIERS. THE ANNEXATION OF THE NEW HEBRIDES. PUBLIC MEETING IN SYDNEY. ARREST OF HOLT, THE LATE BANK MANAGER. COMMERCIAL BANK OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA. (Received March 5, 1.30 p.m.) Melbourne, April 5. The operation of the Factories Shops Act is being followed with continually increasing nightly disturbances in the Collingwood and Fitzroy districts. A number of shop assistants and larrikins, resenting the keeping open of those shops which, in accordance with the municipal bye-laws are exempted from the provisions of the Act, assembled on Friday and Saturday nights, and, getting together a large crowd, paraded the streets in the suburbs named, smashing the windows of obnoxious tradesmen and generally behaving in a riotous manner. The police were greatly outnumbered and powerless to prevent outrages. A recurrence of the disturbance is feared to-night. Precautions are accordingly being taken by the authorities. (Received April 6, 1 a.m.) Later. A large crowd collected at Collinswood this evening, but no breach of the peace occurred at the time of telegraphing (10.30 p.m.). Everything was quiet. (Received April 5, 10.50 p.m.) The negotiations which have bepu set afoot for the projected conference of all the colonial Governors and Pieiniers to discuss the defences of the colonies have failed to effect the desired end, and the matter is now at a complete standstill. (Received April 6, 1.20 p.m.)

April G. A crowd of some ten thousand people assembled in Smith street, Collingwood, last night, but no serious damage was done, a few stores only having windows broken. Seven of the most prominent leaders were arrested.

(Received April 5, 10.50 p.m.) Sydney, April 5. The rumors which have been current to the effect that Mr Holt has been arrested are unfounded.

(Received April 6, 1.20 p.m.) April 6. A public meeting was held last night to prolest against the possible annexation of the New Hebrides by France. There was a large attendance, and great enthusiasm prevailed, resolutions against the annexation being carried by acclamation.

(Received April 5, 10.50 p.m.) Brisbane, April 5. The Premier, Mr Griffiths, on behalf of the Federal Council, forwarded a telegram to Mr Gnrrick, A gent-General for Queensland, to the effect that the federated colonies have an insuperable objection to the proposed alteration of the status quo of the New Hebrides in the direction of establishing a French sovereignty over the islands.

(Received April G, 1.20 p.m.)

April 6. Holt, late manager of the Bank of New Zealand at Sydney, was arrested here yesterday. He had assumed the disguise of a' priest. When searched 200 sovereigns and a bill of exchange for £SOO were found in his possession.

(Received April 6, 1 a.m.) Adelaide, April 5. A. meeting of shareholders of the Commercial Bank of South Australia was held to-day, upwards of 200 being present. A resolution was adopted affirming the desirability of liquidating the bank's liabilities, and winding up the establishment. + [Per s.s. Hauroto, at Wellington.] Sydney, March 27. Beach, the champion sculler, leaves to-day for England. He has been banquefcted, and made the recipient of a substantial testimonial. Very heavy rain commenced on Thursday afternoon, with a thunder ■storm, and continued all night, when nearly 3in. Ml. At one time the fall was equal to nearly 4in. an hour. E ■■■ , lias fallen in various parts of the coun-1

Two hundred cuts have been sent up to Tonga run, in the Bourke district, to wage war against the rabbits. At a meeting of the Engineering Association it was stated that the cost of working the trains in Syduey was eight times that of some systems in England, and it was asserted that ii was the cost of labor that was killing the system. Melbourne, March 27. There seems some doubt as to the Bishop of Newcastle (England) being the successor to Dr. Moorhouse. Adelaide, March 27. The Government are making great retrenchments. Ministers will reduce their own salaries from £IOOO to £BOO a year. Extensive works are to be undertaken to find employment for those wanting work.