AUSTRALIAN.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2194, 31 July 1886, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN.

[renter's telegrams. J Sydney, July 29. The local steamship companies and owners have decided to propose a reduction in the rate of wages of seamen, in consequence of the present depressed state of trade. It is feared that the terms will not be accepted by the men, and that a crisis will result. Arrived, yesterday afternoon ; The s.s. Mararoa, from Auckland.

tßeceived July 30tb, 9.45 p m.] Melbourne, July 20. Mr Paton, who has been engaged in missionary work in the Nc\r Hebrides, had an interview with the Premier to-day on the subject of the French occupation of the Islands. Mr Paton stated in course of conversation that the reported outrages upon French subjects by the natives of the new Hebrides are unsubstantiated.

Sydney, Friday. The Customs J)ill came up for further consideration in the Legislative Assembly last ni^ht, and after a prolonged debate, wlm-h was not concluded until au early hour this morning, the measure was passed through committee. In the Legislative Council, the Bill authorising a grant to Sir John .Robertson for patriotic services v>as read a third time and passed.