AUSTRALIAN CABLE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2201, 14 May 1891, Page 1

AUSTRALIAN CABLE.

Melbourne, May 11.

The'’execution of Johnston, the Ballarat commission agent, who murdered his wife and children, was fixed for to-day • but ten minutes befor» the hour a respite arrived, owing to the representations.' The execution has been ipostoned for A week to permit l of a further examination* being made. The death sentence in the case of Wilson, convicted of a capital offence on a girl, was carried out, Captain Kerr, of the Oraigbnrn, aaya he had anchored two miles off the shore and wonld have been safe only for the pilot. Captain Kerr is 65 years of age,' and this was to have been bis last voyage, The first mate, Ure, who was drowned,wais uhder the influence of drink; Captain Wilson, of the tug, said that bed the anchor been slipped he could hare get the ship away in ten minutes. He considers that the ship and six lives hare been sacrificed > without necessity. The pilot says every life could have beeU saved bad the lifeboat been sent out. May 12. A prisoner serving a sentence in Pentridge Bas confessed that be murdered Mrs Jnbb, the victim of the Parliament 1 Place tragedy, He says be . had bar-' glarionsly entered the bouse occupied by! Mrs Jnbb, and bfing surprised before he! could carry out his designs he shot Mrs! Jnbb. A man named Turner, whoboarded in the house, was arrested on tbe charge iof coeimtltlng the crime, but when the case came before the Supreme Court the jury acquitted him, The prisoner’s story is believed to be a fabrication for. the; purpose of gaining notoriety. Stdhby, Msy 12.

The Hon. William McMillan at* tempted to address the electors this evening, chiefly in reply to speeches delivered by the opponents pf federation. Most disgraceful scenes took place, and free fights were the feature of the evening. Mr McMillan was eventually compelled to withdraw, and banded bis speech to press representatives for puWHoaiion. The disturbance was evidently organised beforehand. The Kiel observatory intimates that a bright comet in the position of Barnard’s comet is yisible in the morning in the east.

LABOR. QCJES'iTONd. London. May 10. Sixty thousand W-lah miners have secured;an advance of 2-J per cent in wages* Vienna, May 11. Owing.to a strike of the compositors the great Vienna, papers are nnable to appear. B&lflBANi, May 12. A special meefcing.of the Pasloralists, and Employers' Association isteiog held at Bafoaldine, and the nnionists are quiescent pendig tbs resnlt of the deliberations. WELLINGTON, May 12. At a meeting in the Trades, Hall to-night the names of 101 unemp'oyed, with is 7 children dependent on them ifere banded in. A deputation consisting of delegates; from the various trades and the city members will wait on the Government in the matter on Friday morning. Dunedin, May 12. The, Dunedin Operative Tailors have voted £lO to the bootmakers on strike in Auckland.