AUSTRALIAN ITEMS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXIII, Issue 56, 27 March 1901, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN ITEMS.

[PEE PBB3B ASSOCIATION] Received 25,10.4 p m. Sydney, March 25. Colonel Fox has been successfully operated on at Bathurst for an abscess ic the cavity of a lung, and is progressing favourably. At the annual meeting of the Citizens' Life Assurance Company a bsnuß of £2 per cent, was declared on all policies of over five years duration and .£1 1 10s, on other profit policies. Received 2li, 1 a.m. A sensational story comes from Riverstone to the eflect that a twelve-year-old girl named Wood was returning from school on Sunday, when a half-caste, after tying a handkerchief over her mouth, took her into the bush. Search parties have since failed to trace the half-caste, who is wanted by the police for an alleged criminal offence on a six-year-old child a few days ago. He is armed with a gun and plenty of ammunition, and made a threat to be a second Jimmy Governor. Received 26, 9.49 a.m. Brisbane, March 26. Splendid rains have fallen in the Winton and Longreach districts, and tie drought is completely broken. Meldoi{jcnb, March 26. Mr. Seddon has informed the Government that he will probably be unable to attend the opening of the Federal Parliament. Ho will come if possible, if not Mr. Ward will attend. New Zealand has asked for accommodation for two members of the Ministry. The Mayor of Wellington will also attend. The Hon. T. E. Murray, 0.M.G., represents Natal at the celebration. Over 12,000 old age pensions have already been granted. It is anticipated that considerably over .£IOO,OOO will be required to meet the claims for the half-year. Only £75,000 was provided. Adelaide, March 26. Mr. Holder has given a denial to the statement that he supports Protection. He says he advocites a revenue tariff only under Federation.