AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 2979, 18 August 1891, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(by electric telegraph—copyright). Svd.vey, August 16. The Estimates show that when the sixpenny postal rate to England was in force, the loss on the federal mail service was £513, whereas this year, under the Ski rate, it is expected that the losa will be £12.725. Mr Bruce Smith replaces Mr McMillan as Treasurer, and Mr Young, who was formerly Speaker of the Lower House, takes Mr Smith's place aa Minister of Public Works. The twenty-mile walking match for a sweepstake of £20 each between Gorotnan (of Queensland), Bowen (of New Zealand), and W. Harris (of Victoria), resulted in a win for Bowen, who is wull known in Otago and Canterbury as a long distance walker. Time, 4 hours IS? minutes. The Sydney MorniDg Herald, in discussing the New Zealand Taxation Bill, characterises it as the most extreme and sweeping legislation ever seriously proposed in these colonics, and says that it is so daring a venture that the other colonies will be content to wait and learn the result. Melbourne, August 16. flencral Sit Frederick Roberts contemplates visiting Australia at the end of noxt as lie is desirous of acquainting himself with the strength and efficiency of the colonial forces and defences. Brisbane, August Ili Mr Donaldson has again resigned the leadership of the Opposition, which is thoroughly disorganised. Sir S. Griffith has introduced into the Legislative Assembly a scheme of provincial separatiou, by which ho proposes to constitute the Southern, Central and Northern Districts as separate autonomous provinces. The House ha 3 empowered the Government to issue close on a million's worth of Treasury bills. In the Legislative Assembly Mr Donaldson's motion that the House should not go into Committee of Supply until the Government bring down a full and definite Financial Statement was negatived by 33 to IS. Adelaide, August 16. During tho past few days a hot wind has been blowing in the southern districts. The ground is parched, and unless rain falls soon the crops will be a failure. Hobart, August 16. Tho British Bank, a small financial institution, has closed here and at Launceston. The reason assigned is want of capital. £1,000,000 rjpresents the entire deposit. Thciwday Island, August 10. The steamer Deddington, laden with coal, from Newcastle to Sourabaya, in Java, has gone ashore on Sherard Island. She is in a dangerous position if bad weather comes on.