AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8983, 18 November 1907, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

A SYDNEY TRAGEDY. SYDNEY, November 16. In connection with the tragedy at the Hotel Metropole, the crown solicitor, Lister King, first gave his wife prussic acid, then shot her, and afterwards poisoned and shot himself. The husband left a pathetic letter, referring in endearing terms to his wife. He states that he gave her prussic acid, but as it failed to have much effect, he shot her. He then took poison, and woke up two hours afterwards, when he swallowed a glass of brandy to steady his nerves, and then wrote a letter describing the awfulness of waking from death. He concludes: "My darling is in heaven, but she will not have long to wait, as I am going to shoot myself and join her." No reason is given for the tragedy.

"PARTURIUNT MONTES." RE - ARRANGEMENT OF THE COLONIAL OFFICE. MR DEAKIN'S HOPE. Received February 17, 5 p.m. MELBOURNE, November 17. 'Mr A. Deakin, in tabling in the House, Lord Elgin's despatch regarding the re-arrangement of the Colonial Office, said that those who appreciate the importance of the proposals submitted to the Colonial Conference by the dominion's overseer for the re--' adjustment of their status, and then read this document will be reminded of the mountain in labour which brought forth a mouse. "Let u? hope," said Mr Deakin, "its appearremind people o£, the Empire 1 of the contract between their needs and this outcome while consoling them with the reflection thatthe mouse is creeping in the right direction." THE FEDERAL TARIFF. - MELBOURNE, November 16. Sewing machines have been placed on the free list. TRAINS IN COLLISION. SEVERAL PERSONS INJURED. MELBOURNE, November 16. As the .result of a mistake signalling, a passenger train collided with a goods train at Laverton. One passenger was severely injured, and several others slightly.

THE FEDERAL MAIL CONTRACT.

MR DEAKIN EXPLAINS CONDITIONS. EIGHT NEW STEAMERS REQUIRED. MELBOURNE, November 16. Mr Deakin, the Federal Minister, explains that the mail contract, for which the subsidy is £170,000 per annum, provides for an extension of the service 'to Brisbane, with'a special service to Hobart during six months pf the year. The period of transit will be reduced to 638 hours, a reduction of 58 hours. Steamers are to be built in accordance with plans approved by the Government each providing space for 2,000 tons of cool storage. The first will be rjady within eighteen months from the commencement of the contract, and one each year aftsrwards. Only white labour will be employed, without discrimination between the unionist and non unionist. Provision is made for the Government to purchase the steame-s if they desire to do so. Power is reserved to cancel the contract after five years and obtain an improved service at an additional subsidy. The plans of the steamers must be submitted within three months of the ratification of the contract. Building work is to be carried out with all reasonable despatch. The maximum charge for the carriage of butter Jias been fixed at a halfpenny per pound, and fruit at 60s per ton. Rates from all parts of the Commonwealth are to be the same. The conti actors must withdraw from any combine or trust which the coirts of the Commonwealth decide are illegal. The vessels will carry the Australian flag, and be fitted with wireless telegraphy. The contractors will continue the existing service under present conditions until the commencement of the new contract. The new 1 mail contract provides for, altogether, eight new steamers. A motion for the printing of the contract was adopted by the House, and the debate adjourned till Wednesday. i USEFUL RAIN. Received November 18, 1.2 a.m. SYDNEY, November 17. A stiff southerly gale is blowing, accompanied by useful rain.