AUSTRALIAN ITEMS,

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2794, 8 March 1882, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN ITEMS,

(Via Auckland.) Sydney, March 2. The lands Department intend publish-, ing a monthly list of land passed at auction and open for selection. The South Australian expedition to the northern territory reached Yam Creek on February 28. Progress was impeded considerably by rains. The expedition report rich lands suitable for coffee, cinchana and other eastern products, but state that a railway is necessary for a proper development of the northern territory. A miners’ delegates meeting resolved to levy 7s per man next pay-day for the support-of the men ont on strike against the A.A. Company. It is stated that the Company intend importing labor from England. Melbourne.^ The Chairman of the Tariff Commission has urged the Government to conserve wattle bark, the scarcity of ‘which is seriously injuring tne tanning trade. At the Geelong Regatta on Feb. 28, P. O. Clarke’s yacht Janet beat the New Zealand yacht Taniwha. An attempt to defraud an insurance company was brought to light on the 28th February. Two Adelaide agents, Hicks and Barker, insured the life of a man named Weatherhead for £3OOO and £SOOO in the Australian Mutual Provident and the Australian Alliance Companies.; Weatherhead arrived in Melbourne in a dying condition about Christmas, dying in January. Hicks and Barker claimed the insurance money, but the landlady of the house where Weatherhead died found a clue which she handed to the police, resulting in the arrest of Hicks and Barker for fraud. The prisoners were charged with the offence at the Adelaide Police Court, and the case is proceeding. Brisbane. The Australasian Syndicate survey party have arrived at Cunnama hula all well, and hqpe to reach Barrington in February. They report the country as looking well after the rain. Some difficulty was encountered on the journey in consequence of the scarcity of. provisions, Adelaide. A deputation of selectors asked Government to remit their interest due and place the amount paid to the credit of principal. The Minister of Lands said Government would recommend tbe relief scheme to the consideration of Parliament. ■)