Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), Thursday 20 December 1900, page 5


THE COMMONWEALTH.

SALARY OF THE GOVERNOR-

GENERAL.

INCREASE TO £20,000.

The Commonwealth Constitution Act provides that the salary of the Governor-General of Australia is to be £10,000 a year. Recently, however, the Secretary of State for the Colonies drew the atten-sion of the Governments of the states to the fact that till such time as the federal capital was built the Governor-General would have to maintain two residences— one at Sydney and the other at Melbourne. This was evidently not contemplated when the Federation Convention fixed the salary at £10,000, and it was asked, as that sum would be insufficient for the requirements of Lord Hopetoun in maintaining the two establishments, that the colonies should combine in providing £10,000 additional to bring the salary up to £20,000, so that the extra expense of maintaining a Govern-ment house at Sydney and one at Mel-bourne might be met by the states, and not come out of the private income of the Governor General. It was suggested that the states should make up the grant of £10,000 on the population basis. The New South Wales Parliament a few days ago passed a bill authorising that state to con-tribute its share—£3,600—to the grant. Sir George Turner has received a cable message from Mr. Chamberlain drawing his attention to the action of New South Wales, and requesting the Government to introduce a bill in the Victorian Legisla-ture voting £3,000 towards the grant, which will be our contribution. The Pre-mier has accordingly drafted the bill, and it was read a first time in the Legislative Assembly last night, and will be dealt with

to-day.

CONGRATULATION TO LORD

HOPETOUN.

At the South Melbourne Council last night, it was unanimously agreed on the motion of Councillor Baragwanath, se-conded by Councillor Palmer, that the town clerk forward a letter to Lord Hope-toun, Australia's Governor-General cong-gratulating him on his safe arrival, and re-

storation to health.

COLAC, Wednesday

to day the Colac Shire Council sent the following telegram to the Governor (were call The Colac Shire Council now sitting heartily congratulates you upon your be the II to Australia as Governor-General The following reply was received dm jug the

afternoon -

His 1 Excellency the Governor General desires to return his best) thanks to the nil 11 o of Colac for their kind constitute thomas. Wallington, private sincerely '

61 1 LONG, Wednesday)

The mayor (Councillor Carr), on behalf of the Town Council sent a telegram to His Excellency the Governor General, congratulating him upon his assumption of Billie, and expressing the hope that the restoration to perfect health of Four and I tidy Hopetoun would be speedy His LL cellency sent the following telegram in

reply -

To His Worship Councillor Cull I beg to thank you! worship and the Geelong Town Council most sincerely for Vom coiigiatnltttons an 1 good wishes for 1 dv Hopetoun and myself -Hopetoun,

Governor General "

WAKELY UL, Wednesday

At a public meeting convened by the jue sident of the Warragul shire (Councillor J) M Neil) and held last night at the time hull, it was resolved to organise a monster picnic and procession for the children of the shire to celebrate (be fraught tion of the Australian Commonwealth on January 4 The head teachers of the various state schools throughout The district has been milled to cooperate, with the Warragul Shire Council has intimated its willingness to subscribe to the funds up

to JU'O

Ain grins Mi.niNG

SYDNEY, Wednesday

Mr Reid states that is the case in which he is engaged there will last longer than he anticipated, it will be impossible for him to speak at Bendigo to morrow night and at Kerang on trial, as announced These engagements will, therefore, have to be 1 postponed till after (the flow Year

HIL ll-Dl.liAf, ELECTIONS

Mr Clunies Sergeant, of Warragul, an notices by advertisement that he will be a candidate for the Federal Senate

Part III, Wednesday.

A deputation waited on the Minister of

Railways to-day, and asked that free passes over the whole of the West Australian railways be granted to intending candy

dates for the Federal Parliament The Minister promised to comply with Hi request

WEST AUSTRALIAN VISITORS

USA DNI. Y, Wednesday's

John Forrest and Mr T W Hackett leave Fremantle to morrow for Sydney by the R M S Rome Owing to the great demand for accommodation on the mail boats and intercolonial -steamers, min) in tending visitors to the Commonwealth cele blutions have had to forego the trip

PAY OF VICTORIAN TROOPS

in regard to the visit of Victorian troops to "v money for the Commonwealth Cerchi ( lions, The Defence department has determined on the following travelling allow space to the non commissioned officers and plan of the militia and volunteers -Come join, sergeant majors and colour set

giants, gift and free rations, Sergeants, 5s and free rations, cor ponds, 4/0 and nee nations, privates, trumpeters, and buglers, Around free rations 'The other officers are to have the delay mees laid down for their respective run-,-, and the Victorian troops returned from South Africa will receive at the into of their present South African

pa) 2

am NEW ZEALAND 'TROOPS

WELLINGTON, Wednesday

The Commonwealth contingent of the troopers and the Southland Hand Papers, to the number of 21, leave by the Government steamer 'Tutanekai to morrow evening

HMCS PROTECTOR

ATTLEE ULT, Wednesday)

'The Premier (Mr Holder), suggest to the approval of the Admiral, has offered to allow 11 A C S Protector, now returning from service in Chinese custom. to remain at Sydney to take part in the Sydney colt Inatlnns 111 connection with the Commonwealth