AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8468, 19 June 1907, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

REPORTED .ATTEMPT TO BUY MEW CALEDONIA. TROUBLE IN TAHITI. OPPRESSIVE TAXATION AND ANARCHY. Received June 18, 8.39 a.m. SYDNE Y June 18._ Noumean files have published a circumstantial statement, that an agent of the Commonwealth was in Paris some time ago trying to purchase New Caledonia for sixty million pounds. Commenting on the report, the Noumean newspaper Bulletin du Commerce declares that in view of the abandonment and contempt for their rights, New Caledonians are not deceived, and only know that the declaration that New Caledonia and Tahiti are available for exchange for money is approved by some members of the French Ministry and Parliament. A Noumean correspondent states that the gunboat Zcke (554 tons) and the cruiser Catinat (4,048 tons) , have left Noumea for Tahiti. The I object of tie visit may be in eonnec- | tion with the forthcoming national fete, but it is coincident with a state [of affairs that suggests a more j grave reason. i Another Noumean correspondent I says:—"According to reports which j have reached Noumea, the population jof Tahiti is in a state bordering on anarchy, the result of a recent heavy increase in taxation, which, owing to acute financial depression the people are unable to meet." ACCIDENT TO A RAILWAY TRAIN. Received June 18, 9.47 p.m. SYDNEY, June 18. When leaving Werries Creek an engine and two second-class carriages belonging to the North-Western mail train, ran on to a siding owing to an i' oversight on the part of a shunter in not locking the points. The remainder of the train, consisting of a first-class carriage and a sleeping-car, continuing on the main line, were derailed. There were fifty passengers in the derailed cars. - One passenger, named Cochrane, had a shoulder dislocated. A dozen others sustained bruises, and are suffering from shock. The engine was smashed, and considerable damage was done to the rolling stock. r | CRIME IN MELBOURNE. I Received June 18, 9.47 p.m. 1 MELBOURNE, June 18. The prevalence of crime in the city has led to the withdrawal of all police leave during the current financial year. THE WHEAT MARKET. Received June 18, 9.45 a.m. ADELAIDE, June 18. The official estimate of the wheat harvested is that 1,681,982 acres yielded 17,145,796 bushels, a decrease of 2,998 bushels compared with the yield of last year. <• BOXING. Received June 18, 9.45 a.m. SYDNEY, June 18. In the light-weight boxing championship contest, Marks, the New Zealander, cleverly defeated Lane, of Sydney, after a willing set-to. DEATH OF A MISSIONARY. Received June 18, 10 a.m. SYDNEY, June 18. The death is announced of Dr. Robert Lamb, late of the New Hebrides. (The Rev. Dr. Lamb was a son of the late Mr J. Lamb, of Christchurch. The deceased, who was about forty-five years of age, was educated there and was sent to Edinburgh by the Presbyterian Church to study medicine, with a view to afterwards entering the medical mission field. As a medical student he 'achieved considerable distinction. He' passed his final examination with honours, and then returned to Christchurch, where he was ordained for missionary work. After working in the New Hebrides for five or six years, his health broke down, and he settled in Sydney. Latterly, owing to his failing health, he had not been actively engaged in church work, but he always maintained his connection with the Assembly in'.New Zealand. One of his brothers, Mr J. S. Lamb, is managing director of the firm of Lamb and Todd, Wellington, but he is now resident in Sydney. Another brother, Mr A. J. Lamb, manages the same firm's business in Christehurch. The iate Rev. Dr. Lamb has two sisters in Wellington—Mrs James Gilbert, wife ot Mr Gilbert (of the Gilbert Machinery Company), and Mrs Harrison, wife of Mr Harrison, of the Post and Telegraph Department.) SIR J. G. WARD. Received June 18, 9.47 p.m. MELBOURNE, June 18. Prior to their departure for Sydney, to-day, Sir J. G. Ward and his party were entertained by New Zealanders residing in Melbourne. Received June 19, 1.5 a.m. SYDNEY, June 18. Sir J. G. Ward and party will reach Sydney on Thursday. During their stay here they will be entertained at, luncheon by the State Ministry and presented with an address at a gathering of New Zealanders,

CABLE NEWS

United Press Assoclation—BvJElectiic Telegraph Copyright.

ROUGH WEATHER IN SYDNEY. Received June 18, 11.20 p.m. .SYDNEY, June 18. A stiff south-west gale is blowing, accompanied by heavy rain and a rough sea. NEW SOUTH WALES FOOTBALL TEAM. Received June 18, 11.20 p.m. SYDNEY, June 18. The football team selected to tour Queensland, and which will afterwards be kepi in reserve to meet the New Zealanders, is as follows:~ Dix, Bedesmith, Messenger, Russell, Oxenham, Waddell, Stuntz, McKivat, Woods, Griffin, Barnett, Graves, Rosewell, McCue, P. Burge, Groundwater, Row, Murnin, John James, Hughes. Probably two others will be added. CHARGE OF MANSLAUGHTER. Received June 18, 9.47 p.m. SYDNEY,, June 18. At the Quarter Sessions, Wilson, manager of the South Clifton Colliery, was charged with manslaughter in connection with the collapse of a tunnel at the colliery on April 30th. j After hearing the evidence, the Judge recorded an acquittal by discharging the jury. THE MAIL SYNDICATE. | Received June 18, 9.45 a.m. MELBOURNE, June 18. The local agent of the mail syndicate (Mr Croker) has received notice | to produce a bond for an extra deposit of £25,000. He declares that there is no legal obligation to comply with the demand, but the deposit will be forthcoming. (The Commonwealth Government holds that the deposit of the second £25,000 becomes i.ecessary under the contract owing to the failure of the Laing syndicate to proceed with the building of the steamers.) A DIFFICULTY. Received June 18, 10 a.m. MELBOURNE, June 18. Complications have arisen between the Federal and the Victorian Governments over Victoria's proposal to guarantee the debentures of the Laing mail syndicate. The Acting-State Premier (Mr Davies) claims that the Victorian Government has dealt entirely with Sir John Forrest, Acting-Prime Minister of the Commonwealth, in the matter, while Sir John Forrest declares it is a matter between the State of Victoria and the syndicate's agent. In consequence of this difficulty cropping up, the Acting-Premier of Victoria was not able yesterday to complete the draft of the agreement between Victoria and the syndicate. Mr Newton Moore, Premier of Western Australia, declares that Victoria's action wtih regard to the mail contract has entirely altered the position. He does not know what course his Government will take. ENGLISH CRICKET TEAM. Received June 19, 1.5 a.m. SYDNEY, June 18. The question of guaranteeing the English cricket team threatens to lead.to further complications. The Trustees of the Cricket Ground have decided to charge 20 per cent, of the gross proceeds of matches as rent for the ground. This is considered excessive by the Cricket Association. Mr McElhone, Secretary of the Board of Control and a prominent member of the Association, estimates that this and other charges will leave the Association only 17 per cent, net profit on the takings. Under the circumstances, it remained for the Association, when it further considers the matter, to decide if it would be wise to take any financial responsibility in the matter.