AUSTRALIAN NEWS. By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. (PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

North Otago Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8167, 23 April 1895, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS. By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. (PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Received Apiil '22, .it 11 a.m. MKLBorftNB, April 22. Tha Now Zealand b< wler« defe*tecl the Vtotoritm tt^iu bjr 83 pvinta to 70«

A fire at Warri&al destroyed several business establishments in the centre of the township. The damage is estimated at L5OOO.

Sydney, April 22. Mr J. B. Clarks racehorses will probably bo sold after the Queen's Birthday meoting.

Adelaide, April 22. A libel action Ins been instituted ngiinst tho South Australian Advertiser by the Hon J. L. P^rnons, late Govern* ment Resident of the Northern Territory. Tho alleged libel was contained in a report of a sponch m»de by Mr T. Ptico, M.L.A., when addressing hia constim* ents. Tho point at issue is as to thn right oi a paper to republißh the public atterancos of a uublic man.

Hobart, April 22. Heavy seas lifted tlio stranded barque D'vonp'irt into h dangerous position, and started tho planking. The vossel became full of water, but «lio was aub^equently righted and the pumo« mmaged to keep the w^ter under. The Ddvonport is partially insured in tho National Oftico of Now Zo Und,

Received April 22, at 11.20 a.m. Mkmsouknk, April 22. Thn Argus, referring to the last quartorly banking returns, says that they suggest that tho stagnation which hai so long characterised banking business has at last been disturbed. Notwithstanding the previous wound inflicted by the late crisis upon the colonial banking system, tho supremacy of the tanks is less questioned tlnn over, largely bectuse nearly overy form of rival institution has been swept away. The most striking feature of tho returns is the exceptionally Urge increase in current accounts, (ha I:ml<iicgh of which during the half year have incrodsed nearly a million and a half. It certainly appoar-i that after a long period of wasting i»w»y of resources tho wealth of the colony has again commenced to grow. Progress is slow, bub tho colony is no longer drifting to leeward. There is plenty of unused capital to bo utilised whonever the onward march is fairly resumed.

Received April 22, at 11.45 a.m. Newcastle, April 22. After t ho refusal of the colliery managers to tnko back tho minors in a body (it Mimm tho men decided to accopt tho«>flor to cngtgu individually, and frill start work in the morning.

SvnstY, April 22. At the annual meeting of the Mutual Life Association of Austiulasia the report w.is adopted. It expressed general satisfaction at the progress made, and showed a net am plus of L55,07.~> available for distribution. The nversioiury additions now amount to L323,22(i, for which there are now available for members cash values amounting to L 172,825. The directors an- ' nounccd that in future all policies becoming claims would be entitled to further bonuses calculated to the date for which the piemiums arc paid, thus guaranteeing advan- , tages and expense. During the past tri« ; ennium L-22,000 was written off investments, , The directors propose to continue the prac1 tico year by year as circumstances require. > Mkmjoukve, April 22. A rr i yed — Tarawer a .