Australian News.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8102, 31 May 1906, Page 5

Australian News.

(By Electric Telegraph.— Copyright (Per Press Association.) (Eeceived May 31. at 10 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. Arrived, 2 a.m.—Monowai. MELBOURNE, This day. Mr Bent has informed Mr Deakin that he has no intention of charging rent for Parliament House, but asks for .£3OOO a year for the use of Government House.

A bill for the suppression of gambling will be introduced iuto the State Assembly next session. It provides that a judge, if not satisfied to the contrary, may issue a certificate practically putting a place where gambling has been carried on in legal quarantine. Eeceived May 31, at 9.56 a.m.

SYDNEY, This Day. Writs have been issued by the owners of the steamer Buninyong and barque Criffell in connection with the recent collision. The owners of the steamer claim *67000 and the owners of the barque .47500.

[A tug was towing two vessels, one alongside and the other astern, tlie steamer Buninyong noticing the lights shown by the tug presumed that the vessel alongside was the only one being towed, and attempted to pass behind the tug. The result was that the steamer was rammed by the Criffell.] A serious creep has occurred in the central mine at Broken Hill, also affecting block 10. At the central floor the mill has sunk three feet, throwing the plant out of gear. Eeceived May 31, at 9.56 a.m. MELBOURNE. This Day. The estate of Mr George Lansell, the Bendigo mining magnate, is valued for probate at £600,000.

Ministers to-day completed a scheme for the irrigation of wheat growing along the Murray frontages. Homesteads will be granted along the river front, about forty acres in extent, twenty of which will be irrigated. Each, homestead will have in addition 400 acres of interior land. The charge for irrigation water will not exceed 15s per acre per aiinum.