AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 281, 14 July 1888, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

NORFOLK ISLAND. The Sydney people have an eye upon our trade with Norfolk Island. la the Legislative Assembly the Premier stated, for Mr O'Sullivan's information that Norfolk Island was a separate colony or settlement, under the control of the Governor of New Soutli Wales, and that the British Government had offered to hand over the island to this colony, but in view of the present advisers of the Crown, the Government would hardly know what to do with it,andhad not decided to accept the offer, as it would appear to be something like a white elephant. He was aware that a considerable trade now existed between Noriolk Island and Auckland, which might be transferred to Sydney if the island were annexed by Ne^ South Wales."

SYDNEY DEFENCES. The most important work of the past fortnight has been the adoption of the military estimates, which provide for a complete re- organisation of the military torces. That scheme of re-organisation was explained by the Premier, who stated that ib was proposed to increase the general defence torces of the colony from 5,865 to 8,620 men. By the new scheme u complete network of torpedoes would be laid aciots the harbour, sketching fiom the north shore of South Head towards Middle Head, and extending 1 up the Middle Harbour to Dobroyd. There would be submerged no fewer than 6,200 submarine mines, and ib was asserted by Major-General Schaw, whose opinion was supported by all the authorities accessible to the Government, that this part of our forces, if properly carried out — properly officered and manned — would render the entrance of a foreign ship practically impo&hibß.

THE CHINESE TROUBLE WITH THE ALAMEDA. A curious dispute has arisen between the Maritime Labour Council here and the commander of the American mail steamer Alameda, in consequence of the vessel having armed in Sydney with a Chinese crew on board. The Council took up the position, and they have up to the present declined to recede fiom it, that the federated unions, of which they are the executive body, w as determined to decline to assist in either discharging or coaling the vessel so long as she continued to employ Chinese on board her. A labour demonstration has been held in the Domain, at which the employment of Chinamen in the shipping trade has been condemned. The captain of the Alameda endeavoured toeirect a compromise with the Maritime Council by promising in the event of che usual facilities beingallowed for the discharge of cargo and the supply of coal, to undertake not to return to the colonies with Chinese fhemen or trimmers. The Council, however, decided to adhere to their first determination. The vessel has been taken into dock at Biloela, and she will afterwaulb be brought alongside one of the wharves to discharge her cargo and to coal. In the event of the Maritime Labour Council offering opposition, it it, possible that the commander will appeal to the American Consul. Monster anti-Chinese demonstrations have taken place in Sydney. " The Sydney Morning Heiald " of July 2nd says :—": — " Theie was a second anti-Chinese demonstration on Saturday. At the beginning of the month the Seamen's Union turned out in strong force, with their bands and banners, to assist the labour organisations generally in their procession, and therefore it was only in the natural sequence ot things that, at the end of it, the labour unions should return the compliment by walking in honour of the seamen. The moral of the affair was the same— 'The Chinese must go.' So far as terra Jirma is concerned, victoiy is vhtually won ; but to make matters complete the Asiatic has to be banished trom Biitish ships or\cssels that are subsidised by colonial money, upon the waters. The Chinaman is to be permitted neither upon the sea nor upon the land. Until he is despatched ' bag and baggage ' from amongst us demonstrations are not to cease, but are presumably to come on periodically so long as a banner is left intact and men can be iound to carry it."'

THE RECENT TRAGEDY AT NORMANTON. The steamer Birksgdto, from Normanton, armed at Thursday I&land, bringing 84 deportees, principally Malays., but including Spanish, French, and American coloured bubjeefcs, who were expelled from Norman - ton during the recenfc disturbances. They were landed here pending advices from Brisbane. Accommodation for all willing to accept it was offered at the Seamen's Refuge, but most of the men were met by their coimtiymen, to whose houses they went. A disturbance was feared, as a com creation implying revengeful feelings against the whites Wtis heard during the passage fiom Normanton. This was ieported to the police here, but no disorder took place. Many of the white residents showed kindness to the distressed men, and expressed their indignation at the conduct of the Normanton people. Some of the proprietors of shelling stations have oilercd the men employment at eight dollars a month, but the men have temporal ily declined the offer, intending to wait, hoping to receive compenbation from the Government.

AQUATICS. Hanlan has issued yet, another challenge. He has oflered to row Kemp for .C5OO a-side and the sculling clmmp'onship, the race to take place within three months from the present date. The Canadian has apparently not. lost faith in his ability to scull any man living, and he nab gained lenewed confidencobince lie pub Edwaul Trickotb down so easily on the Fitzroy ab Rockbamptun. Itis probable that Kemp and Hanlan will make a match before the end of the present week. Searle and Sfcan^btiry, who row on the Parramatta on .July 13th, are in full work on the river, and the race is attracting much inteiost. Both men are confident of fcucces 51 , and there will be rather heavy wagering on the result. Stansbury is still the favourite. Chris.^ Neilson challenges anyone, barring Kemp and Hanlan, to row on the Parramatta River, for t2OO a-side or upwards. It is more than probable that the winner of the StansburySea rle race \\ ill row Neilson. It is stated that John Teenier, the American oarsman, purposes leaving the dinted State 3 for Sydney in the month of August. The next intercolonial eight- oared race will take place on the Vairaantta River in in Novem ber. In addition to crews from this colony and Victoria, it is probable that Queensland and Tasmania will be represented.

BENDiGiO GOLD RETURNS. Tho Bendigo gold returns for the first half of thib year show that the total yield of sold was 81,3490z. The calls amounted to £84,853, and the dividends paid wove C 87,179. Tho figures of the corresponding period of last year were—yield of gold, 72,68302;. ; call?, £66,705 ; dividends, £58,465.