AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8540, 21 September 1907, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

MYSTERIOUS TRAGEDY. PENSIONER FOUND DEAD IN A HUT. Received September 20, 9.48 a.m. MELBOURNE, September 20. A tragedy of a mysterious character is reported from Kangaroo Flat, a small town of about one thousand inhabitants, situated on Bendigo Creek. ■ The victim was a man named Wendell, who was in receipt of the old age pension. He lived in a hut. and here he was found dead, with several pea-rifle wounds on his body, and a rope tied tightly round his neck. Prior to the discovery of the tragedy, the old man had been heard quarrelling with some one, but who it was is not known.

LITIGATION IN NEW SOUTH WALES. STRIKING STATISTICS. Received September 20, 9.22 a.m. SYDNEY, September 20. Official figures show that during the past ten years litigation in the New South Wales Courts decreased in a remarkable degree. This is attributed more to the healthy condition of industrial and social affairs, and the increased cost of legal proceedings.

The bankruptcy records also show a large decrease. Ten years ago sequestrations numbered 1826; last year they totalled only 406.

VICTORIAN PARLIAMENT.

OLD AGE PENSIONS INCREASED

Received September 20, 9.48 a.m. MELBOURNE, September 20. In the State Assembly a Bill to increase old age pensions from 8s to 10s was passed. The Income Tax Bill, which provides for a reduction of 15 per cent, was also passed.

MALARIAL FEVER. Received September 20, 8.30 a.m. NEWCASTLE. September 20. The barque Kelburn arrived from Santa Rosalia, Mexico with malarial fever aboard. She had a protracted voyage owing to being short-handed. One apprentice ruccumbed.

A RECORD MATINEE. Received September 20, 8.30 a.m. MELBOURNE, September 20. Clara Butt's matinee yielded £1,020, this constituting a record.

THE FEDERAL TARIFF. Received September 20, 9.48 a.m. MELBOURNE, September 20. In the Federal House, Mr Sinclair gave notice of motion to the effect that the tariff, after revision by a committee, be submitted to a referendum.

AUSTRALIAN TIMBER DUTIES.

Received September 20, 9.48 a.m MELBOURNE, September 20.

The Federal Minister of Customs has promised to favourably consider the request of a deputation of timber importers for an alteration in the duties, including the placing of New Zealand pine on the free list. The Minister said why Australian timber was not more used in mines was that while Oregon pine gave a warning when a movement occurred in the workings, with Australian timber there was no noise till the final crash came.