AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8189, 21 July 1906, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

!. r THI! J3ALLINA TRAGEDY. ' ~—— i ißeceived July 20, 10 30 a.m. SYDNEY, July 20. Since his arrest Brown nas fcalued freely.'. "'' He said the whole thing was ihe result of a Secret Society, which was formed at Balliua, to keep up a "White Australia." Tbe plan was to have a revolution against the blaoks and Chinese, and kiJl thern off. The Society kept quiet till they had got money to Duy arms. He mentioned the names of several boys of his own age who were members of the Society They drilled and practised with bayonets, using pumpkins as targets. He had agreed to get money, and weut to O'Keefes for that purpose, not with the intention of killing them, as they were his best friends, and treated him like one of their own family. When he got there, the old people were glad to see him. He described how he waited au opportunity when he attacked them. The story of the alleged Secret Society will b3 well sifted by the police. Brown's associates are respeccable lada. He saya some of those who are pledged to the Society are of the best families in the district. During his flight, he had a terrible time in a swamp, wading for hours up to his waist. He contiuued walking night and day. THE INQUEST. Received July 20, 11.13 p.m. SYDNEY, July 20. • At the inquest on the O'Keefes, a boy .companion of Brown's deposed that three weeks ago Brown asked him to go with him and sand bag the O'Keefes. He explained that by sand-bagging he meant to hit them on the head and render them insensible. Witness refused, but later in the day Brown asked him to go busbrangiog, adding that he knew some others who would go. The man with whom Brown had camped gave evidence that ou the day before the tragedy his uniform and bayonet was taken out of the fiut by Brown without permission. He identified the bayonet. Tim O'Keefe stated that sometimes his father reprimanded Brown for neglecting his work, bat they generally got on well together. Shortly before he left their employ Brown quarrelled with Gilliok, who knocked him down. Brown got a revolver and attempted to shoot Gillick. Onoe Brown broke open a box belonging to his father, and stole a sum or money. Brown was sentenced to six months' imprisonment for this. He subsequently returned to work for them. BROWN COMMUTED FOR TRIAL. Received July 21, 1 a.m. SYDNEY, July 20. The coroner, in committing Brown for trial, characterised tne crime as the most bloodthirsty In the history of the State. ■ii ■- JUDICIARY BILL. Received July 20, 11.23 p.m. MELBOURNE July 20. In the House of Representatives the Judiciary Bill, providing for the appointment of two additional High Court judges, passed all the stages. THE LAN*D SCANDALS. SYDNEY, July 19. As the result of the disonssiion on the ruling of the Speaker as to the powers of Parliament in dealing with the Land Commissioners' findings in respect to Mr Crick, the following new Standing Order was moved by the Premier to-day:—"Whenever it has been decided—whether before or after the passing of this Standing Order—that the House may not proceed ou a matter affecting alleged misconduct because thereby.a member may be prejudiced at a pending criminal trial, the House may suspend such member until a jury returns a verdict, or until it is further ordered." Mr Carruthers said the object of his motion was to put the House in suoh a position that where criminal proceedings were pending, if Parlia inent was to be silent ou the matter the member who was charged with the offence should also be silent. It would give Parliament the same power that was held by outside tribunals to prevent itself being prejudiced by a stay of proceedings. After a shorj; debate the fPremier's motion was carried on the voices. PROPOSED SUSPENSION. Rooeived July 20, 9.17 a.m. SYDNEY, July 20. After the adoption of the new Standing Order, Mr Carruthers moved a motion for the suspension of Mr Crick until the jury in the criminal trial now pending had given its verdict or until further ordered. Mr Crick was absent from the Uous«, and ,vjr Carruthers' attempts to cnminuaieute with him having failed, the debate was adjourned till Tuesdayi The Premierfalso moved, "That so much of the Land Commissioner's report fas related to . the findings against Mr Crick, which had previously been withdrawn, be restored to the business paper." The motion was adopted. WINDFALL FOR A BOOKMAKER. Received July 20, 10.30 a.m. A bookmaker named Peterson has been bequeathed £40,000 by a brother, a resident of Denmark.

CABIiE^NKWS.