AUSTRALIAN NEWS. By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (per press association.)

North Otago Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8167, 26 April 1895, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS. By Electric Telegraph— Copyright (per press association.)

Received April 25, at 11.20 a.m." Sydney, April 25. The Gov< rnment suffered defeat early this morning in Committoe on the Local Government Bill, an amendment securing tho ono-man-one-voto principle in munU oipal elections being oirriod ajjifnsfc thd wish of the Government by 31 rotes to 25. The Government is considering what effect the amendment will have on tho Bill. Aa * result of theacoident at Saturdty't races, tho colt Cobbity is unlikely to rooa again. Tho filly Arihi, by M»lua — Discord, winner of tho last Martbyrnong Plate, died of blnod poisoning through picking up a eplintor.

Melbourne, April 25. lho inquest on the victims of the tunnel accident has commoticod. Tho evidence showed that a powerful dredge had beoa ea'ing away the hoi of the river in tha vicinity of the tunnel for some time, whilo the steamer Bothwell Castle grounded ab tho spot. Indications of unsoundnesa of the bottom were observed by air bubbles on tho surfnoe of the river, but the matter was not reported to the responsible heads. There was only ono air chamber, instead of two as is tho cmtoni in England, and it was shown that when tha four mon were in the air chamber at tho time of the inflow of water to the inner compute menfc they turned off tho valve nnd allowed tho air to escape. As they tefb themselves out this destroyed their lash ohanco, and tho men were imprisoned in a doith trap. The half-yearly report of the National Bank shows a profit of Liv 000. Thg dinctors recommend the payment of « dividend of 6 per cent on proforenco capital, and after writing oft the bianco of reconstruction expenses a sum of 1*34^0 is carried forward. No dividend it to bo paid on ordinary share*.

Received April 25, at 11.45 a.m. Adelaide, April 25. Obituary— Sir William Milne, who was prominent in political circles oomo yeara nao.

Received April 25, at 10 15 p.m. Sydney, April 2£j. Ernest Henry I/wellyn, paymaster pf the nav-il forces and accountant of tho Marino Board, has been committed foe trial for embezzling L6l of Governmenb money. Accused confessed hia guilt, and sinco it has been found that the accounts are short by L 2250. He said the money was lost in unsuccessful speculations.

[ Melbourne, April 25. A decidedly more buoyant feeling 19 evident in commercial circles. The Konoral opinion is that businoss is steadily improving. Warehouseman atate that |b is sounder and bettor than during the last threo years.

Pertii, April 25, At a meeting of the shareholders of Bay ley's Reward mine the report showed that gold hid been obtained during the last half ye*r to the ralue of L 60.000, and since the mine was opened, two years ago, L 190.000 worth had been obtained, of which L 126.000 waa paid in dividends. Much better results were ex* pepted when a proper water supply is obtained,