AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9137, 9 July 1908, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

CABLE NEWS.

United Press Association—-By Electric Telegraph Copyright,

QUEENSLAND SUGAR. Receive.! July 8, ]2.5 p.m. BRISBANE, July 8. The sugar yield last year was 188,307 tons—a record. NEW SOUTH WALES LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Received July 8, 11.3 a.m. SYDNEY, July 8. The Government has ap pointed twelve new members of the Legislative Council.

NORFOLK ISLANDERS' GRIEV ANCE.

Received July 8, 9.50 a.m. SYDNEY, July 8. The Governor (Sir Harry Rawson), in reply to Mr Quintal, representative of the Norfolk Islanders, who came here to urge the claims of evicted islanders, produced an Order-in-Council, dated 1856, which showed that when the islanders first shipped from Pitcairn to Norfolk Island they were allotted land and houses by Lieut. Gregorie. However, as soon as news of this reached England, an Order-in-Council was issued disowning Gregorie's action, and making the i.>landers tenants of the Crown. Sir Harry Rawson assured Mr Quintal that he was doing his very best for the islanders. The Government maintained its right to the lands, but householders would only have to sign a license form, and they would be assured of having their houses free of rent till the third generation. After that they might have to pay a nominal rent.

PLIGHT OF A SCOW'S CREW. Received July 8, 11.3 a.m. SYDNEY, July 8. The scow Maroro, 28 days out from Raglan to Sydney, arrived off Port Stephens on Saturday morning, short of provisions. She secured a supply at the lighthouse. The vessel reported that she signalled to several vessels that she was short of supplies, but in each case the signals were either not noticed or else disregarded.

AN AMALGAMATION SCHEME CONFIRMED. Received July 8, 12.5 p.m. ADELAIDE, July 8. The Full Court confirmed the amalgamation of x the Mutual Life and Citizens' Life Assurance Companies.