AUSTRALIAN CABLE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2179, 24 March 1891, Page 1

AUSTRALIAN CABLE.

Sydhby, March 20. G. E. Labertoiiobe, clerk in charge of Imperial Pensions, was to-day sentenced to fire years' peUil servitude on a charge of embezzlement. Hie defalcations amounted to several thousand of pounds, Mr David Proudfoot, a contractor well known' in New Zealand, died this afternoon while nnder chloroform prior to undergoing an operation. In the breach of promise case Vaugham v McKan, a member of Parliament, a claim for £SOOO, a verdict was givfiti for.plaintiff for £SOO. Mr Fletcher, member for Newcastle, is dead. March 21. A, Bradley, defaulting manager of the Devonshire Street Branch of the English, Scottish, and Australian Chartered B»nk, has confessed bis guilt and states that he lost over £14,000 in skating rink speculations. Joseph Waterhous'e, accountant at the Commercial Bank, is wanted. His 1 defalcations are said to amount to several thousands. M»rch22. Last night a man named Gay, living at Brookston, near Wallsend, murdered his brother-in-law named Stnbbs. It appears that Stubbs bad interfered in a domestic dispute in whiob Gay was engaged and the latter drew a revolver and shot him through tbe bead, death being instantaneous.

Melbourne, March 22. The Railway Commissioners have taken a firm stand as to their position, and decline to allow the Government to interfere with their management of the lines unless they can demonstrate that good results will be achieved. As the Commissioners are acting within their right the Government are at a loss what course to pursue. Adelaide, Match 20. The cause of the delay in bringing the new cable agreement into operation is due to the fact that several matters yet unsettled between the cable Company aod the South Australian Government. Hobart, March 22. The R.M.S. Rimutaka from London, via the Cape, arrived here yesterday forenoon, and sailed again tor New Zealand 'at 6 p.m. She brings 27 passengers for Australia and 77 for New Zealand ports.

LABOR QUESTIONS. Brisbane, March 20. Matters in tb9 shearing districts are disquieting, An attempt was made to wreck a special train by placiog logs across the rails. The telegraph wires were also cut. The Government have ordered the leaders of Sny party offering intimidation to ba Brrested. All shearers have been ordered to lay down their tools on March 23rd. Word was received tin the city this afternoon that three hundred Unionists had taken -possession of Capella, a small township near Clermont. They compelled the publicans to supply them with free drinks, after which they proceeded to destroy the telegraph line-to Rotro Station, and wound up by setting fire to a quantity ot goods belonging to the Railway Department. Tbe latest news from the disturbed districts states .that a body of some eighty-Unionists visited Lome Station, near Blackall, and while the manager of the station was interviewing them in a woolshed the building was set on fire, and tbe flames obtaining a good mastery tbe building was burned to tbe ground. All tbe grass between Lome and l'erriok stations has been fired and the Unionists have lit several grass fires in the vicinity of Barcaldine. The Rookbampton infantry have been called out on active service, and will leave at once for the scene of the trouble. Unionists to the number of about 200 are drilling every day at Barcaldine. March 22. The Unionists continue their threatening attitude in the country districts. Yesterday a large force surrounded a contingent of free shearers, aod tbe assistance of the police had to be called into requisition. Tbe Unionists were ordered to withdraw but refused. The polioe and mounted infantry then fixed bayonets and attempted to disperse the mob. For some minutes it appeared imminent that the troops would be com* i polled to fire, but after several attempts ; to break through the rarest the shearers | drew off. Lokdon, Maroh 20. , At the Oonferenoa of the Minere' Federation it was decided to prosecute the Eight Hours Bill apart from the Labor Ocmmission. March 21. The miners at Durham, who went out on strike iu sympathy with the tenants evicted from the estate of, the Marquis of Londonderry, at Silkworth, have resumed work on the terms offered by the masters.

Mr Ben Ttlle', one of the Unionist leaders, considers that a Labor Commission must be issued shortly, whether the Unionists accept the federation ticket oc not.