AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8188, 20 July 1906, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

THE BALLINA TRAGEDY. Received July 19, 7.16 a.m. SYDNEY, July 19. Brown was charged with murder at the Ballina Poliue Court, yesterday, and was remanded for eight days. While being brought back, a man threw a stone, an 1 struck Browu on the head. The accused, in his flight, after committing the murdera, travelled 80 miles in 40 hours. In tbe course of a conversation with the arresting officer, Brown stated that he wont over to O'Keefes not with the intention of murdering them; what lie wanted was money and artrs. He took a bayonet, also, a bag, filled with sand and stones. He hit the old woman with the bag, but it broke. He then drew the bayonet. Mrs O'Keefe Bcreamed for help. The old man came to her assistance. Brown stabbed' Lim with the bayonet again and again. Then Gillick came out, and bit Brown with a bottle. The accused then "went for them," with tbe bayonet, right and left. "I suppose," he concluded, "I will be hung for it." LARGE QUANTITY OF OPIUM SF.IZbJD. Reoeived July 19, 10.48 p.m. SYDNEY, July 19. In spite of tbe prohibition of opium, and the vigilance of the Customs officials, a considerable quantity continues to find its way into the Commonwealth. Suepeoting that the opium came by the way of Canada, the officials kept a sharp, look-out. To-day they seized 900 tins of the value of £1,50u on board tbe steamer Mibwera.- The opium was discovered after the oargo had been discharged, stowed away under some loose boards.

WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY

Reoeived Inly 19, 1,0.30 a.m. MELBOURNE, July 19

A earn of £B,OOO has been placed on the Estimates to establish wireless communication with New Guinea. The money is not to be expended until a selection of the system is made.

THE LAND SCANDAL. Received July 19, 10.6 a.m. SYDNEY,. July 19. The division on Mr Wood's mo tion, dissenting from the Speaker' s ruling the other day in oonneotion with the discussion on the Land Commissioner's report as it related to Mr Criok, was very mixed. Mr Oarruthers, voicing the views of the. majority, said he did not intend to support the motion, because he believed that unless the Speaker's ruling was demonstrably wrong, even though it was inconvenient, it was the duty of the House to support the Speaker. Mr Oarruthers withdrew his motion that Mr Crick should be direoted to withdraw from the House until the criminal proceedings against him have terminated, because to-day a new standing order will be submitted covering the position.

THE PRICE OF COAL. Received July 19, 10.30 a.m SYDNEY, July 19. The members of the Colliery Employees' Federation have asked the proprietors to meet them in conference at an early date to discuss the proposed advance in the hewing rate, the same to take effect on September Ist. If trie advanoe is oonoeded it will carry an increase of two shillings in the selling price of coal. THE FLEMINGTON MURDER. Received July 19, 10.30 a.m. MELBOURNE, July 39. Another man, named Hewitt, has been arrested in connection with the death of MoLeod, who wag kicked to death by a crowd on the Flemiugton raoeoourse. THE GOVERNORSHIP OF NEW GUINEA. Received July 19, 10.30 a.m.' MELROURNE, July 19. Mr Deakin, the Federal Premier, states that the offer of the governorship of New Guinea has 'been made to Sir William MacUregor, subject to the approval of Parliament. The acoeptanco o£ the position is depen dent on Sir William being able to make certain arrangements with the Colonial Office. (Sir William MaoGregor is Governor of Newfoundland. He has a thorough grasp of New Guinea and its affairs, having acted as Administrator in 1888, and LieutenantGovernor in 1895. Sir William is fifty-nine years of ago).