AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume 4, Issue 133, 12 May 1883, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY.

(By Tklegraph.) (united press association) Sydney. The maintenance of the existing line of postal communication by way of the United States has been extended by the Government of this colon y, m conjnnctionwith that of New. Zealand, unler the altered conditions of a reduced subsidy and an accelerated speed, for a further period of two years, with the option on th « p *rt of the colony of withdrawing frooi the contract, under certai-. ciroutn-Unces, afc the end of twelve months. Although, owing to the aUractivtn«Bs of the country as a threat field of colonisation, the support from the public revenue of lines of ocean steamers has almost ceased to be necessary, it was not deemed desir -.bio that the existing arrangement should be- abruptly terminated. Adelaide. The Adelaide railway station was experimentally lit by the electric light last week. Experiments was made with the Bwan electric light since. Two arc lights were used, but were found to be too overpowering, Melbourne. The trial of Mr Thomas M'Leod Palmer, of Toorara, for manslaughter of Sudar Khan, an Afghan coolie at Tooram, or the 17th March, was concluded last week. The evidence of the native witness was conflicting. The Hindostanees stated that deceased was advancing with a pitchfork upon the prisoner, who then fired the fatal shot m self-defence ; while the Afghan witnesses denied that deceased bad had .-» pitch* fork or other weapon m his hand, or that be made any hostile demonstration against the prisoner. The witnesess agreed, however, that Sudar Khan took a prominent part m coolie distur™ bance which was going on, and m which the Hindostanees were being worsted when Palmer put an end tothe proceedings. It is also shown that the Afghans have previously threatened the life of the prisoner. His Honor summed up somewhat m favour of the prisoner. The jury, after an hour's deliberation, found the prisoner had reasonable cause to fear his life was m danger, therefore they returned a verdict of not guilty. The verdict was received with loud applause.