AUSTRALIAN.

Te Aroha News, Volume III, Issue 140, 6 February 1886, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN.

Sydney, January 27th. —A Ministerial statement was made in the Legislative Assembly to-day. It proposes that considerable amendments shall be made in the Land Act, and announces that the Government intend, to introduce a scheme of equitable taxation to meet the deficiency in

revenue. The Treasurer seated that the Financial Statement would be brought down on Thursday, February 4th. Sydney, January 28.— Good rains are falling throughout the colony. Melbourne, Jan. 28. — The men charged with attempted bank robbery at Collingwood were brought before the Magistrates yesterday when the prisoners, Murray, Hopkins, and Veale were committed to take their trial. One of the girls who assisted her mother in the committal of the Coburg murder has made a full confession. Insanity appears to be rife in the family, as one of the sons has gone raving mad. Melbourne, January 28.— Proceedings have been commenced against the captain of the Afghan in connection with the false naturaliFation papers held by the Chinese passengers of that vessel. Prosecution has been instituted by the Government. Melboukne, January 29.— The captain of the Afghan haa been fined £100 for his connection with the frauduleut natura^ieation papers held by the Chinese passengers on his vessel. Melbourne, Feb. 2.— Tho following is the final selection for the Australian team to proceed to England : — Blackham, Bruce, Mcllwraith, Palmer, Scott, Trimble, Spofforth, Jones, Evans, Bonnor, Garrett, Jarvis and Giffen. Hobabt, Feb 2.— The Hon. Mr Service President of the Federal Council, stated yesterday that he recently received a despatch from England which shewed cont clusvely that there is still danger of recidivistesjbeing deported by the French Government to New Caledonia. Brisbane, this day.— lt is generally be lieved that the proposal put forward by Mr Pender, on bohalf of the Extension Telegraph Company, for 20 years contract, will not be favourably entertained by the Queensland Government.

(Special to Melrourne "Age."} London, January 20. — The report that Lord George Hamilton wa3 to be appointed successor to the Earl of Carnavon as LordLioutenant of Ireland proves to be unfounded. The "Guardian," which U the principal organ of the Church of England, objects to Dr. Moorhouse being transferred from Melbourne to Manchester, and states that it is desirable that colonial bishop 3 should devote their lives to colonial service. It is reported that Col. Stanley will probably relinquish the office of Secretary of State for the Colonies and take up'the portfolio of Secretary for War. Earl Carnarvon succeeds Col. Stanley at the Colonial Oflice. It is officially announced that the Right Hon. W. H. Smith, Secretary of State for War, has been appointed Chief Secretary for Ireland, with full executive powers, pending the appointment of a new Vice-Ragent. An expedition organised by the German Government for the exploration of New Guinea will embark at Hamburg in February. Herr Schuckber has been placed in command of the expedition. London, Jan. 22. — Mr Gladstone, in the House of Commons last night, announced that he had not altered his views with regard to the settlement of Irish affairs, and still adhered to the solution which he advocated in his recent electoral speeches. At the same time he reserved to himself the right to exercise freedom of action on the question. He condemned the Government for giving notice of a resolution to amend the rules of Parliamentary procedure, and asking that it be treated urgently, as they should have given priority to the problem of extending the principle of local self-government to Ireland. London, January 23rd — The great powers have approved of a proposal made by Russia to compel Servia and Greece to disband their troops. If Servia persist in her refusal to lay down her arms, her territory is to be partitioned.