AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Waikato Times, Volume xxx, Issue 2427, 31 January 1888, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

inww i imbiniv iiiavvw l « (By Electric; Telegraph.—Copyright.) Sydney, January 2S. John Stapi.etox, a miner, and a new arrival in the colony, was found dead yesterday on the road near the Hillgrove mine, about 313 miles north of Sydney. When picked up it was seen that his throat was cut, and lie had also received several scalp wounds—in fact the base of the skull had been fractured. The watch which he was known to have worn wheu last seen is missing, and it is supposed that Stapleton was murdered. There is great distress among the unemployed, and to-day one of their number committed suicide owing to his being unable to obtain work. The foundation stone of the new Trades Hall was laid this morning by Lord Carrington. There was a procession iu which twenty-seven societies took part. The Wesleyau Conference has decided to establish a Centennial Thanksgiving Fund of £50,000. The sum of £7,200 was collected iu an hour. January 29. At the Cadgegong races on Saturday, a horse fell and one of the jockeys was killed. Steps are now being taken to form an agricultural society in the colony. Three Freetrade candidates are in the I field for Newtown against one whose sympathy is with the Protectionists. M kliiocrn'E, January 28. For some time past there has been a movement on foot, with a view to get the police force to form a volunteer corps, but they have, refused. Brisbane, January 29. A Kanaka, who attempted to murder the mate of a pearling vessel at Thursday Island, was shot dead. Owing to frequent pilfering, the Chinese gardeners are taking steps to protect their property, and last night, when several larrikins broke into one of their gardens, they were wounded with a shot gun. Rntter, Mayor of Rockhampton, has been sentenced to seven years' penal servitude on the first charge of false pretences, etc. It is said that mining and land speculations were the cause of his downfall. Buisiune, January 30. Rutter, Mayor of Rockhampton, was sentenced to 7 years on the second charge to be concurrent with the first sentence. The other charges have been abandoned. The Cninese have left the Clement goldtields at the Warden's orders. No resistance was ottered. Hoiiaut, January 30. In the match against \ 7 ernou's team the Tasmanians lost 13 wickets for 405 runs. Barnes 95. The match was drawn.