AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8195, 27 July 1906, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

GOIjD robberies.

Reoeived July 26, 10.23 PERTH, July 26.

The general manager of one large Kalgoorlie mine states that there is urgent need of more stringent legis lation to prevent the disposal of stolen gold. He instanced oases in which persons known to be connected with the gold-stealing industry had sold as much as fTteeu hundred Ounces at one time to a mint without any questions being asked.

RECIPROCITY.

Received July 26, 10.5 a.m. SYDNEY, July 26,

Mr Valder, the Government Commercial Agent in South Africa, has written to the Premier, Mr Carruthers, asking him to urge on measures to provide reciprocity between Australia and South Africa.' Everything, o ays the agent, was in readiness in Africa to initiate a reciprocal policy, and delay on the part of Australia meant a considerable loss in trade and would probably force orders to the Argentine.

RULES OF RACING

Received July 26, 10.21 a.m. MELBOURNE, Joly 26

Sweeper has been soratched for the Steeplechase, and Canto, Cadenza, Waratab, and Revelation for tho Hurdles.

The Victorian Racing Club, in its annual renort, submits several alterations in the rules, including a stipulation that in the event of a deadheat in two-year-old events the race be not run off, but the stake be divided; that the age and identity of any horse foaled outside the Commonwealth must be established, and the fact that such is not disqualified proved. Otherwise, the horse and parties concerned may be disqualified.

NEW ZEALAND EXHIBITION

Received July 26, 10.30 a.m MELBOURNE, July 26

It is probaole that Sir Richard Baker, will represent the Federal Government at the opening of the New Zealand Exhibition.

(Sir Richard Baker is President of the Federal Senate. He was Special Envoy from tho Australian Governments to London to negotiate a joint contract with reference to the mail service and to conclude the agreement with respect to the division of the postal receipts between Great Britain and the colonies in 1885-6, and he received the honour of C.M.G. in recognition of his successful mission). VICTORIAN LICENSING BILL. Reoeived July 26, 10.30 a.m. MELBOURNE, July 26. The new Licensing Bill was read a first time in the State Assembly yesterday. BANK RATES. Reoeived July 26, 10.30 a.m. SYDNEY, July 25. The Sydney banks have notified alterations in the rates of exchange on London similar to those of other States and New Zealand. NEW SOUTH ' WALES RAILWAY BILL. Received July 26, 10.30 a.m. SYDNEY, July 26. The new Railway Bill vests authority in the Chief Commissioner, who will have the help of ihe AssistantCommissioner of Railways and of the Assistant-Commissioner of Tramways, and will bold office for seven years. No salaries are mentioned. THE LAND SCANDAL. Received July 27, 12.52 a.m. MELBOURNE, July 26. W. N. Willis declined to be interviewed, but supplied a statement to the press chiefly recounting the details of his fight against his extradition. The reasons he gave were that he was an innooent man; that he was traduced and slandered by Parliament and the Ministry; that he was arrested in a cowardly manner and was cruelly thrust into a Kaffir prison; and that he was charged with a nrime which they knew was trivial and political. He remarked tnat when he got close to his detractors, he would dash the brains out of some of them. THE REV. MR WOKRALL. CALLED TO THE BAR OF THE HOUSE. Reoeived July 26, 10.16 a.m. MELBOURNE, July 26. The Rev.i Mr Worrall has been summoned to appear before the Bar of the House to explain his recent references to the Chief Secretary. Addressing a meeting at Bendigo, he said he intended to obey the summons in the name of God, in the name of citizenship, and in the hope of a more glorious and prosperous Australia. If any penalty were imposed on him for his words be would thank God for having allowed him to oome into His fellowship of suffering. (The Rev. Mr Worrall's offence consists of a denunciation of the Hon. Sir Samuel Gillott, Chief Secretary of Victoria, in connection with the recent gambling tragedies. It was nonsense, he said, for Sir S. Gillott to pretend that he was powerless to stop the scourge, which was creating a very Gethsemaue of woe and trouble).

CABLE NEWS.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright,

THE SUSPENSION OF MR CRICK.

Received July 26, 3.12 \-.m. SYDNEY, July 26

In connection with his suspension by Parliament Mr W. P. Crick has issued writs against Messrs MoCourt, SpeaKer of the Assembly, and Harnett, Sergonnt • at Arms, claiming £2,000 damages iu each case.