AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 103, 28 May 1909, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

MUTUAL LIFE ASSOCIATION. —• - !■;!«§/ Received May 27, 3.20 p.m. Sydney, May 27. The annual report of the Colonial Mutual Life Association shows that new policies were issued last year assuring £1,13.-1,.T74, and yielding an annual income of C4l,:iSj. The claims by death totalled €152,(100. The life, accident and invalidity policies numbered 1434, assuring .t'370,850, aud yielding an annual income of £30211. The directors announced that they had decided to establish an industrial department in connection with the society.

CLERGYMEN AND THE LAW. Melbourne, May 27.

The Presbyterian Assembly adopted a resolution of sympathy with the Rev. Murdoch in thr indignity put upon liim by being sent to prison over tlij* Hunaid v. Harper case. It also authorised the committee to consider the legal position with a view to reporting whether action for ail amendment of the law, should not l>e taken in concert with other churches.

ACCIDENT TO H.M.S. POWERFUL Sydney, May 27.

Whilst the ilagship was undergoing overhaul a fracture was discovered in th« shafting of the port engine. It is supposed to have occurred on the voyage from llobart. The renewal of the shaft will possibly interfere with the Powerful's intended cruise to Fiji. WESTIiALIA AND FEDERATION. l'ertli, May 27. Air. (jtiinlan challenged Senator l)e----largie to refute on tiie public platform at l'evth his statement that Senator Delargie's claim that federation had benefited West Australia was without foundation. 1 THE SAYONARA CIT. .Melbourne, May 27. The owner* n't the yacht Sayoimra have been accepted from amoJigst the wmiiiKitioiiis a» defenders of next year's cup. [Last reason the Nayonara Cup was won by the iNivonara, which defeated the Sydney boait Tlielma.]

Till? BROKEN 111LL AWARD. Melbourne, May 27.

Spenkiii}( at the Block in Company's meeting, the chairman s'aid the award recently given in the Arbitration Court was so far-venehing that it might be disastrous to the entire community. Be fore the Court could become of real utility some drastic amending legislation was necessary. PLAGUE RATS. Adelaide, Jlay 27. More plague rats have been found at Port Adelaide. An active crusade against rats is progressing. ASTRONOMY. Adelaide, May 27. Mr. 0. Dowdell lias liecu appointed Government astronomer. SETTLING PAPI ; A. Melbourne, May 27. A return shows that altogether 2(1,503 acres of Papuan lands have been taken up under the ircehold System and 242,305 under the leasehold. COMMONWEALTH STATISTICS. Melbourne. M'ay 27. A Melbourne return shows that last year the persons admitted to tins Commonwealth who were not asked to pass a dictation tes't numbered 75,070, including 74,374 of British origin, Now Zealand supplying '26,304. Thu Chinese numbered 1771, Japanese 414, and other Asi'atics 430. The colored i persons who departed totalled 4040, including 427 Chinese, 305 Japanese, 521 Malays, Hindoos and Afghans, SOS Papuans; while 108 were refused admission, including IS!) Chinese.