LATEST AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Kumara Times, Issue 3158, 17 December 1886, Page 2

LATEST AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[REUTERS TELEGRAMS.] By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright

PROPOSED REDUCTION ON UNITED KINGDOM CABLEGRAMS.

PROROGATION OF THE VICTORIAN PARLIAMENT. THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH.

MOUNT RENNIE OUTRAGE. SIX OP THE PRISONERS TO BE HANGED. THREE LIFE IMPRISONMENT. STEAMSHIP MOVEMENTS. SMALL-POX ON BOARD THE PREUSSEN. (Received December 16, 10.30 p.m.) Melbourne, December 16. In the Legislative Assembly last night, Mr Derham, (Postmaster-Gene-ral) in the course of his speech mentioned that the Eastern Extension Cable Company had offered to reduce the tariff on ordinary cable messages to the United Kingdom to 4s per word, provided a subsidy of £75,000 were granted them ; and to 2s 6d per word on a subsidy of £IOO,OOO. Parliament was prorogued to-day by the Governor. In his speech, the Irrigation Act was discussed at some length. Should the Act, which encourages private enterprise, lead to the establishment of irrigation centres in Victoria, he declared it will much enlarge the habitable territory by the addition of rich and populous domains. Referring to the Tramway Loans Act, he said this would enable the country districts to be connected with the main railways, and was assured it would contribute to the immediate development of the remote country districts, and would introduce a system capable of further extension. The speech congratulated Parliament tit) the promptitude with which the Centennial Exhibition proposals had been accepted. If these were executed with spirit, with the cordial co-operation of the neighbouring colonies it would stimulate the Federal movement. The Exhibition would be of great advantage to colonial industries, and would demonstrate to the world the strides Victoria had made since 1880. Satisfaction was expressed at the result of the Postal Conference, at which complete unanimity had prevailed. As to the postal requirements of the colony, it was hoped a federal postal service would be established. The prosperity of the country was great, and there was a steady increase in the revenue. These were prospects of an abundant harvest, and signs of revival in the mining industry. (Received December 17, 1.30 a.m.)

Sydney, December 16

Government has decided that six of the prisoners who were sentenced to death for the Mount Rennie outrage shall be hanged. The sentence of the other three has been commuted to impiisonment for life.

(Received December 17, 12.40 p.m.)

December 17. Sai'ed, last evening, the s.s. Mararoa for Auckland.

The three men whose sentence in connection with the Mount Rennie outrage was commuted are Donnelan, Millar, and Keegan. . (Rceeived December IG, 10.30 p.m.)

HoBART, December 16

Shaw, Sarill and Albion Company's steamship lonic siiled this afternoon for Auckland.

The steamer Preussen, bound for Melbourne, arrived here, having ono case of small-pox on board. She has 600 passengers.