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As was to have been anticipated, the
Governor-General of the Commonwealth
could not see his way to comply with
the request of the Fisher Government
for n dissolution nf tho House of Re
presentatives. His Excellency, indeed,
had fur more ample justification for re
fusing it than had his predecessor Lord
Northcote for declining to accept the
advice of the ltoid-M’Lean Cabinet
four years ago. In that case Mr Reid
had received notice of the withdrawal
of tho support of a large number ot
members who had been sitting on the
Ministerial side of the House. He met
Parliament at tile opening of the next
session with a somewhat startling
move. Instead of entrusting the Gov
ernor-General. as Mr Fisher did last
week, with the customary long speech
full of familiar promises and enumer
ni:m; measures for th c session, Minis
ters framed a vice-regal speech of a
few lines, referring to the advisability
of passing a b 11 for the redistribution
of seats, 'the purport of the document
quickly dawned upon members; and
the mover and seconder of the address
in-reply warmly commended Ministers
for the straightforward and manly
action which they had taken. An
amendment was moved and carried by
45 votes to 28 including pairs. The
division of parties as indicated by the
voting was;—
lleid party 28
Deakin party 24
Labor party. 22
Tlius the situation reproduced the
state of chaos which Mr Dcakiu has
repeatedly pointed to as the- inevitable
and intolerable result of maintaining
tliroo parties of nearly equal strength
in tho House of Representatives. It
stood to Mr lleid’s credit that he alone
of tho leaders of those three parties
evinced a readiness to face the electors
and ask them to indicate a way out of
the existing political cul do sac. In
tho course of an address at Bris
bane bo had remarked that if tho Op
position members wanted to bring
about a crisis they had only to make
the announcement. As far as he was
concerned ho would realise the gravity
of tho situation. When members were
so evenly divided, there was, he
thought, only one euro for it, and that
was that they should go back to their
masters, the people. ' Mr'Reid showed
himself quito prepared for that event
whenever it might be forced upon him.
Then Mr Watson and some of his chief
followers, who had been-talking* glibly
about an appeal to the electors, and
of tho largely increased support which
they might expect as tho result of it,
suddenly changed front when the Gov
ernment hinted at a dissolution, and
jir Watson plaintively appealed to
Ministers to go on with bush,css
or resign, but tho historic
Governor - General’s speech was
in tho naturo of a development of the
Parliamentary precedent which requires
tho head of a Government* to suspend
business as soon as his administration
is challenged. Mr Reid was denied a
dissolution, with the hearty approval
of tho Labor party, because there was
a majority of 17 votes against lnm,
and liocauso the Governor-General be
lieved that it was possible to form a
Ministry sufficiently strong to carry
on. Mr Fislier, with a probable ma
jority of 14 or 15 against him in n* ft' l
House claimed a light to a dissolution
under loss hopeful conditions Gian
those under which his own party stub
bornly contested Mr Reid’s claim »o
one Tho Governor-General could not
but realise that a now situation had
arisen in Federal politics. I'or the
hist time members, with a few ex
ceptions. have been ranged into two
parties, towards either of which tho
two or throe malcontents or “inde
pendents” will assuredly gravitate be
fore long; and the fusion of parties
has given promise to anew Govern
ment of a good working majority. It
was not fod his Excellency to conjecture
whether that fusion will or will not
prove enduring; tho general hope and
anticipation is that it will, and that at
tho next election the voters of the Com
monwealth will be asked to choose be
tween two parties, and only two, in
stead of 1 laving their minds clouded,
their votes split, and their
pioper effective and proportional
representation rendered impos
sible by reason of artificial divi
sions among the non-Labor party. The
new combination in the Houses is un
questionably entitled to the fair trial
which tho Governor-General has con
sented to grant to it. A spirit of
compromiso lias guided the framing of
its policy and programme, the princi
pal features of which arc as follow :
No liuterfcience with tho protection-,
ist policy of tho present Customs tariff j
or in rectifying anomalies.
An amendment of the Constitution
to enable a State Wages Board or
Arbitration Court to refer to tho inter- j
State Commission for adjustment i
any unfair competitive rates j
lor conditions existing in an* j
other State, whether arising from
the ahsenee of such boards or courts or
from their decisions. In federalising
unfairly competitive rates and conditions,
the inter-Slnte Commision shall take ac
count of wages and of surrounding cir
cumstances. No amendment of the Con
stitution will be sought should all the
States authorise the Commonwealth to
legislate to this extent under the Con
stitution. The States to be invited to
take this course withoue delay.
To develop tho Australian naval and j
military forces, with the advice and as
sistance of the Admiralty and the Wav
Office, by mc-ans of universal training,
commencing in the schools, and the Com
monwealth coastal defence, and also to
recognise our Imperial respons-bilities.
Pending the preparation of a complete
Jseheme, adjusting the future financial
relations of the Commonwealth iuid
States, an interim arrangement to be
proposed, under wliieb the Customs and
excise revenue of the Commonwealth
shall lie dealt with.
As regards its personnel, the new
Ministry promises to bo one of excep
tional strength. Tile choice of its mem
bers has to be made from amongst J.
group of conspicuous politicians and ad
ministrators of long and varied experi
ence. Mr Deakin, Sir John Forrest, Mr
.•oseph Cook, Senator Sir B. W. Best
have been regarded all along as tli© cer
tamties for Cabinet rank, leaving but
three other portfolios for distribution,
and there are so many h ghly eiigiha*
members available for them, to say
i-.ollifug of eager aspirants to thorn,
whose claims may have to bo considered
more with regard to party exigence's
than to outstanding individual capabili
ties or merits, that the work of those en
trusted with the task of forming the
new Cabinet will bo one of mole than
ordinary diiEcnlty 'Given an absolute
ly flee hand they would be able to bring
together a Ministry tho calibre of whicii
would boar favoraole comparison with
that of any other in the British
dominions outside* of the mother land.
And the indications point to a recogni
tion of the undeniable claims, which
have been emphasised in “The Star” from
time to time, of Mr W. H. Irvine, Vic
toria; Colonel Foxton, Queensland; and
Mr P. M. Glynn; South Australia.
Tho Governor-General has decided
not to dissolve the House of Repre
sentatives, and tho Fisher Ministry has
tendered its resignation. His Excel
lency. as is usual, lias asked tho Gov
ernment to continue to hold office till
its successor is appointed. Tire reasons
for a dissolution of the House of Re
presentatives which were submitted to
tho Governor-General by the trimo
Minister were numerous and lengthy,
but after careful consideration his
Excellency came to tho conclusion neat
a dissolution under present circum
stances would be unjustifiable. Tim
written arguments in. favor of a dis
solution, together with his Excellency's
reasons for not accepting tin advice,
are confidential, unless his Excellence
chooses to make'thorn public. A n.c-s
-renger from the Governor-General sub
sequently waited - on Mr Deaki;;.
Shortly afterwards Mr Deakin took his
departure for Government House to
see tie Governor-General, am} at his
Excellency's request-, undertook to
form anew Minstry, the probable con
stitution of which is set out in an--
other column.
Complete arrangements have been
made by the Mayor and Mayoress of
the Town (Cr and Mrs A. Levy) for the
visit of their Excellencies the Governor
and Lady Gibson-Cannidhael to BaMarat -
East to-day. Tho railway platform, at;
which the visitors will alight, bias been
decorated, and the members of the
Ladies’ Art Association have displayed!
their knowledge of art at the Town Hall |
and Public Library buildings by decor- ■
ating with flowers, ete. To help to make
tlio function a success, and at the same
time show loyalty, tlio may or. desires that j
ratepayers shall have flags flown from
their premises, end have bunting fixed 'n
conspicuous p'aoes. The vice regal party |
is timed to arrive at the Ballarat East
station at 11.5, and via Humffray. Vic
toria, and East streets will drive to the
Town Hall, whore children from the
State schools in the district will sing
patriotic songs. Tn th e event of the
weather being unfavorable, however,
this, demonstration by the children!
be held in the Coliseum -at 12.25,, . At
11.30 a reception will be held at the.
Town Hall Gardena entrance, arid an ad- t
dress will be presented. Fraser’s studio !
will be visited next, the party driving:
along Main road arid Bridge- streets
After inspecting the Coliseum their 'Ex
cellencies will return to the Puhhc Ltn
rarv Hall, where lunch will be served, at
1 o'clock. A drive to the Mount Plea
sant district via Barkly street 'll) Cob -
den rtvcct, will bo commenced at 2.15,
nnd" returning via Barkly and' Princess
streets. The visitors will at 2.40 ar
rive at the Victoria United mine, which I
his Excellency will descend. Meanwhile j
her Excellency will return to the Town |
Jlall, whr-ro she will be the guest of j
the mayoi ess and the Ladies’ Art Asso- |
elation. At 415 their Excellencies will I
leave for the Eureka Stockade via Bark
?r, Victoria, Queen, and Eureka, streets,
and return via Queen street to the Or
phan Asylum. Dinner will be served
at the North. Grant hotel at 6, and at
7.14 the visiters will entrain for Mel
liourne
The demand lor electors’ rights con
tinued steadily throughout yesterday
without reaching to the extent of the
great rush which set in towards the
end of April before it was announced
1 lint another month would be granted
for their issue. In Ballarat West
l.lie number of rights issued to women
when tile books closed was 3844, nnd
tlio number to men 482, which, added
to 349 names already on the supple
mentary rool, makes 831 on that list
With the 3301 malo voters on tlio rate
payers' rolls, there are now 4132 moll
entitled to vote at State elections in
Ballarat West, and 3844 women, or a
grand total of 7835. In Ballarat East
4197 women have been placed on the
rolls and 300 men.
Tlie P. and 0. It.M.S. Macedonia left
Colombo for Australia, last Sunday morn
ing. The Macedonia is due at Fre
mantle on Thursday next, and at Port
Melbourne on tlio following Monday
morning.
The yarding of cattle at yesterday's
sales was very light, only 182 head be
ing forward. The supply consisted prin
cipally of middling descriptionsa small
proportion of useful to good, with .only
a few pens of prime. As good quality
beasts wore scarce competition was ex
ceedingly Brisk, prices showing a mark
ed improvement on last week's advanced
rates. Extra good bullocks sold up to
£l6 10s; prime sorts brought from £l3
10s to £l4 10s, while useful and good
realised from £lO t-o £l3. Prime cows
reached £lO 10s,_ while good and useful
were sold up to £9 and £7 10s respective
ly. Tliero were 3958 sheep yarded, a
larger proportion than of late consisting
of good to useful quality, but prime
pens were limited. Competition was
very animated for best trade descriptions,
and prices advanced on last week’s clos
ing quotations. Prime crossb-cd
wethers brought up to 21s, while extra
heavy-weights went as high as 28s; use
fuls fetched 16s. Prime ewes realised
19s, and extra good from 20s to 22s 6d.
Merino wethers made from 11s 6d to 16s
6d. Prime lambs wer e quoted at 14s,
and heavy-weights 19s.
So far only one case has been listed
for the June sittings of the Supreme
Court, which will open to-morrow.
Frederick Joseph Chinney will appear to
answer a charge of larceny. Mr Jus
tice Cusen, who is doing circuit work,
will preside.
A number of cabmen in tho city I
have been endeavoring to have it ar
ranged that the system of tendering
for the right to ply for hire at the
Western Station should be done away
with, and that any cabman desiring to
pay £1 per month for the right should
be* allowed to have the right of entry
to the station. Their views were
placed before the Minister of Railways
by Mr A. N. M'Kissock, M.L.A., who
lias been informed that the present
contract will not expire until the 30th
June, 1911, and that as long as the
conditions of the lease are observed it
is unlikely that the Commissioners will
determine the lease prior to that date.
When the lease is up consideration will
be given to tho representations of the
outside cabmen.
Recently tho Lcxton Railway League
wroto asking for the co-operation of
tho City Council in a deputation* which
should wait on the Minister of Rail
ways to urge that the lino from Balla
rat to Waubra should bo extended to
Avoca to connect later on with Marnoo.
The council - decided to throw in its.
weight with tho movement, and it has
been arranged that a deputation shall
wait on the Minister at 11.30 a.m. on
the 16th inst.
Tho fortnightly meeting of the Bal
larat East branch ot the Australian Na
tives’ Association was held ar the Bal
larat Fire Brigade last night; tho pre
sident (Mr N. Wightwick) being in the
chair. A letter was read from the
Newington branch, asking for co-oper
ation in the endeavor to obtain the
approval of the Board to other
branches having sent circulars asking
that Gocil Fraser lie assisted to accept
the offer made him by Percy Grain
ger. It was decided not. to take any
action in the matter. Mr R. Crowe,
Superintendent of Exports, wrote stat-
that he was willing to deliver a
lecture to members of the branch. Two
nominations for membership were sub
mitted and two new members wore
elected. Tile secretary stated that
£360 had been invested.. It was decid
ed to celebrate the anniversary of the
branch on the 13th July by-holding a
social. Accounts amounting to £8 Is
were passed for payment, and the sylla
bus item, a lecture by Mr Gale, was
then proceeded with.
With reference to a paragraph which
appeared in Monday’s issue, it should
bo stated in justice to Sub-Inspector
Ryan that it was not at his request
that Messrs Barker and Coltman,
J’s. P.. issued an order for tho governor
! of the gaol to give up tho prisoner
i Duggan for trial
Ila order to mako out a good case to
I present to the Minister of Mines in
i favor of having wages boards instituted
; for ongii’.e-drivers, Mr A. N. M'Kissock.
' M.L.A., has obtained particulars with
I regard to the wages paid to engine
drivers in West Australia, and also tho
rate paid in ’fjetdria. bjg the Govem
■ mont and other, r piiblic bodies. In the
West tho minimum rate for winding
engine drivers is 135.4d per shift, while
in some instances iis high as 16s 6d is
given.. For mill engines the average is
I 133 4d per shift. In timber mills the
i rate obtaining is 11s 3d, without a
fireman, and 8s 3d with fireman.
Drivers of portable engines and
; winches got Bs, and in flour mills a
j rate of 10s all round obtains. These
wages are paid for a 47 hour week,
; with tiiiie and a quarter. overtime for
: the first four hours, and time and a
half theixsafter. In Victoria the Gov
. eminent pays 10s per day to drivers
employed in connection with the St.
Kilda-Bngk'ton electric tramway;
drivers at the Spencer street electric
light works receive 10s 6d par day;
; while tho Melbourne City Council pays
! IQs-per day; Another argument that
; has been advanced by Mr MTtissock in
I favor of a wages board is that in the
i M‘Kay Harvester award tho wages of
! fci.gine-clrivers was raised by Mr Jus
, tien Higgins from 9s to 9s 10d per day.
I The wages quoted above aro oonsider
i ably in excess of those paid to mining
! engine-drivers, whoso work is at ail
times most responsible.
I At the local School of Mines Mr Ernest
Wood, of Melbourne, yesterday conducted
; nn examination on behalf of the London
College of Music. There was a largo
number of pupils, whose papers will be
sealed and forwarded to England.,
A State School Decoration Society
has just been formed as the result of
the State School Exhibition. It will
bo remembered that tips exhibition
yielded about £1100; 'and the Govern
ment placed a sum of money on the
estimates to supplement this amount
as the first capital for the purposes of
the Society. .The central executive has
now been formed and will: consist of
fivo State sphoohteachers three officers
pf the Department, and ..three repre
sentatives; of the general public. It is
proposed by the executive to supple
ment fundjj. raised, locally, that,
th 0 ' picture's andiotlifer' equipment are
displayed 'andyutiHsedjjfl'fwacqord.an.ce,
with the regulations o'fy.ihe Society.
. 1. ' jir’i i/' blffi
The Society will bo in: the position of
- ablo to purchase at wholesale
rates and to command expert advice.
The Society was formed <sn the lines
of the School Decoration Society of
South Australia, w-hich supplies the
schools with pictures, • plants; etc.,
through a certain agency.
A daring burglary was committed at
Mr J. Thomas’s Supply Stores, Sturt
street, during Monday night. The
pienuses wero securely locked up at B
o’clock on Monday evening by the man
ager, Mr Clias. Brennam., but after
opening up the premises: at half-past 8
yesterday he discovered that 33s in
small silver 3nd copper had been taken
fiom the cash register. A further in
vestigation showed that 10 watches,
nickel, gun metal, and rolled gold, had
been removed from the window. One
of the stolen watches was valued at £0
by tlio propiietor, while the other nine
weio worth altogether £l9, the total
value of the abstracted goods being
£25 Tlio matter was reported to
Senior-Constable Robinson and Detec
tive Armstrong, who proceeded to make
a thorough examination of tlio pro
mises. They found that the thieves
'had effected entrance by wrenching
open the back door, presumably with a
crowbar or jemmy. No clue lias lieen
secured by tlio police as to the identity
of the burglars, but tlio movements of
some suspicious characters who have
been hanging about the City recently
arc being traced.
From information received by the
Minister of External Affairs it appears
that tlie authorities at Hong Kong aro
auxious to co-operate with the Austra
lian authorities in preventing the in
flux of Chinese stowaways to tho Com
monwealth. The Minister is informed
that 20 of the stowaways discovered on
the Eastern and returned to Hong
Kong have been sentenced to nine
montlis’ imprisonment, and another
batch which found its wav to Austra
lia and was returned:' received six
months’ imprisonment. Efforts were
made at Hong Kong, to arrest the men
responsible for working tlio business,
but they have disappeared. If found
tho Government has given orders that
they are to, bo banished.
Tho Premier sent to the Acting Pre
mier of South Australia yesterday the
following telegram relative to tlie death
of Mr Price, tlie Premier“ Accept
sincere sympathy of self and colleague!
in great loss which South Australia has
sustained by sad death of Mr Price,
during whose Premiership relations
with Victoria were exceedingly cor
dial.—John Murray.” The Premier
also sent tho following message to Mrs
Price r-“ Self and colleagues deeply
sympathise with you and family in
your sad bereavement.”
Numerous complaints liavo reached
tho City Council of tho practice of
ratepayers depositing garden rubbish
on the street water-tables. Tlie act is
an illegal one, and an infringement of
the City bylaws. Wliilo tho improve
ment of private gardens is desirable,
the disfigurement of the streets by de
positing rubbish thereon is decidedly
undesirable, arod offenders are request
ed to discontinue tho practice.
The presiding, magistrates at the City
Police Court yesterday were Messrs H.
M. Murpliy, P.M., and-T. S. Barry, J.P.
Severn! debt cases were dealt with. In
one instance, in which a firm was the
defendant, tlie summons had been served
on a member of the firm, but not at the
trading address. Tho P.M. said that,
this was a faulty service, and that the
constable serving the summons should
have known his duties hotter. The
[ case was adjourned for a week to enable
proper service to be effected.
Messrs A. J. Pittard and R. Harvey.
J’s.P., attended at the Town Court yes
terday. but their duties were light; the
settling of a debt case and fining of an
inebriate 5s comprising the list.
Members of the Ballarat East
branch of tlio A.N.A. who last night
spoke against tli c suggestion that tlie
branch should co-operate with Newing
ton A.N.A. to assist Cecil Fraser in
accepting an offer made to him hv
Percy Grainger, did so not because
they are opposed to tlio proposal, but
because they consier it a matter out
side the province of tlio Association.
Tho secretary doubted whether tlie
Board would approve of circulars ask
ing for assistance, for sick persons were
numerous and at times to give help
was a hardship oil branches whose
membership was not largo.
The long expected production of
“White Australia, or the Empty !
North” (Randolph Bedford’s new
drama, at the King’s Theatre, Mel
bourne, under the management of Wil
liam Anderson, will commence oil Juno
19. The exceptionally heavy scenery
needed lias delayed tho production, but
Mr Julius Grant is pressing all depart
ments to completion, and all difficul
ties should be surmounted within two
or three weeks. “White Australia” is
practically tho heaviest production yet
attempted at tho King’s Theatre, and
the resources of tlio, big theatre are
responding well to all tlio taxes made
upon them
William Donohue, aged 21, an Ameri
can. was arrested by Constable Daniels
in Ballarat East yesterday afternoon
on a chavgo of larceny. It is alleged
that he took an overcoat, valued at
£l, out of a cart owned by Mr Arthur
Clarke. He will appear at tho Town
Court this morning.
Considerable diversity. was obsorvablc
in the opinions expressed as to the num
ber of citizens who attended the meeting
which was held in the Exhibition Build
ing, Melbourne to considor the Federal
political position. On© paper gives it
as “about 8000,” and the other says
“from 8000 to 10,000,” whilst leaders of
■the party under whose auspices the meet
ing was convenod estimate the attendance
at about 11,000. With a view of oh
taining a correct estimate, the Exhibi
tion authorities were communicated with,
and they give the number as "about
E 000.”
The Chief Inspector of Factories has
just issued the fifth edition of “The Law
Derating* to 'Factories Workrooms, and
Shops in-Victoria."” ■ The work, which
is obtainable at Is, contains a consoli
dation of all the Factories tmd Shops
Acts in. force in the Strife.. .
A smoke social was held by the Royal
Society of St. George in the Christ
Church Club rooms last night, the presi
dent (My J. R. Elsworth) occupying the
chair. There was a large attendance of
members, and a pleasant time was spent
in various indoor games. During the
evening harmony was contributed by
Messrs W. M. Morgan, C. Burrow, and
E. Humphreys, Mr. Earle playing the ac
paniments. Gramophone selections were
given by Mr T. Miller. Refreshments
were served at the close, the catering be
ing in the hands of Mrs Allen, of Bridge
street
At the meeting of the City Fire Bri
gade last night a letter was received
from the secretary of the Country Fire
Brigades’ Board enquiring as to the
means of protection against fire at the
local post office. Captain Richards inti
mated that lie had inspected the huird
:ug on thp previous day. There were
two sets of hose, each containing 100
feet, but if a fire occurred, and it was ne
cessary to attack the flames from tho oul •
side, this quantity would not he suffi
cient He thought it would bo neces
sary to secure an extra 100 feet of hose
as an emergency. In 60me of the small
rooms, particularly on the Sturt street
side, where valuable property was stored
no - precautions were taken. In the early
stages of a fire extinguishers would .be
very useful, and.lie suggested that,a let
ter to tliis effect he forwarded to the
Oonntry Eire Brigades’ Board. It was
agreed to inform the board of the result
of the captain’s inspection.
' The fact that Mr W. Mi Hughes.who
was Attorney-Goneral in the Fisher
Government, .was aiinoun'bed to speak
on the Hon. Alfred Deakin’s action
with; rcgardoto: the recent :• fusion .of
parties was responsible for the attend
ance nf , nearly 2000 people at. the
Alfred Hall last night. In addition to
Air Hu ghee,'.: the other/Parliamentary
representatives present were Senator
Findley, and: C.. Al'Gratli.
and ’A. N/.'M’Kissook, M’s.li.A- Air
Hughes, uwlip spoke-; for- 1 ;. meurlyj i (tiro'
hours, .'quoted ' from .speeches • made by
itftp V? .(I'MA fi?H iWA
■Mr Dcakm to show that 'he had broken
pledges given by him to the. electors of
Ballarat. . A resolution was unani
mously dirried ' warmly approving of
the polity a fthe-Fisher Government,
as iset forth m, the. speech, of.' the
Governor-General, emphatically -pro-,
testing against., tho aetioni of Mr
Alfred Deakinj the Parliamentary re
presentative of the district, and his
followers in fusing with tile political
wreckage whom they were elected to
oppose, declaring that the Parliament
no longer represented the people of the
Commonwealth, seed requesting an im
mediate appeal to tho electors.
The secretary of the Ballarat branch
of tho Amalgamated sliners’ Associa
tion has received from the Minister of
Mines a reply to his letter asking that
a lecture delivered by Dr Spring on
minors’ phthisis be printed in pamph
let form. The Minister states that lie
cannot seo hia way clear to accede to
tho request, as it would, perhaps,
mean that similar applications would
he made by other branches.
Or Brawn, M.L.C., recently wrote to
tho president of the Grenville Shire
Council (Cr Kennedy), asking him to
meet him in conference to talk over
the matter of the formation of a trust
in connection with the;Newtown to
Beoac railway. Or Kennedy lias re
plied as follows:—“So far as I am per
sonally concerned, It mean to go cn
with the trust, and I think the majority
of my council will bo with mo, or per
haps the whole of them. I' ani much
disappointed with , the action, of the
Minister of Dailways, as it is certain
that a elicit deration after serving
Bcriinga, as proposed, would assist
the wheat area, and would he beneficial;
to farming, tho trade of Ballarat, and'
the country generally. If Thursday
next, at 10 a.m., will suit, I will be
glad to meet you at the City Hall."
No statement has yet been_ placed be
fore the members of the Eight Hours
Committee of the result of the-• Eight
Hours Day celebrations, held in April.
It will be remembered that the cele
brations were marred by ram, and
some of the sports had to be postponed.
The secretary lias also been.indisposed,
but it is understood that'at a meeting
of the committee to bo hold shortly a
statement will Bo submitted, showing a
balance on tho right side of the
ledger.
Captain Richards occupied the eha’r
at. the monthly meeting of the Ballarat,
City Fire Brigade last night. Memb-r
.T. 11. Odgcrs forwarded his resignation,
he having Been appointed night watch
man on the tower. The -resignation was
accepted. Invitations were received for
the Allendale Fire Brigade Ball in 4th
June; Buninyong Fire annual
social on 4th June, and Creswick Fire
Brigade social on lGtli .1 line, and rep re
scutatives were appointed;
"With the object of raising money for
tho Canadian Homo fund, a social was
held in tho Town Mission, Hall last
night. There was a large attendance
of young women and young men. No
programme was arranged, hut tho
young people thoroughly enjoyed thorn
selves
During May 93 men were naturalised
under tlie Commonwealth Naturalisation
Act. Twenty-two women were alto
granted certificates, making a total ot
115. Of these 65 were married and 50
single. There were 57 Germans, 10
Swedes, 7 Danes, 7 Italians. 6 Nor
wegians, 4 Russians (including 1 Finu
and 1 Pole), 4 North Americans,. 4
Greeks, 3 Austrians, 3 French, 3 Swiss.
2 Dutch. 2 Belgians. 1 Icelander, 1
Portuguese, 1 Spaniard. Thirty-nine of
the applications came from Victoria, 27
from New South Wales. 23 from Queens
land. 17 from South Australia, 8 from
Western Australia, and 1 from Tas
mania. The total number of persons
naturalised from Ist January to 31st May
is 494.
The Premier (Mr Murray), as Minis
ter for Labor, has written to the Em
ployes’ Union in the butchering trade
an Melbourne, through Mr Harison Ord.
regarding the present Double betwoeD
employers and employes. Mr Murray
sympathises with the new of the men as
regards an excessively long day on Fri
day.
John William Faulkner, aged 19, and
Auburn Campbell, aged 26, each of whom
describes himself as a clerk, were yester
day arrested by Detective Armstrong on
a charge of having insufficient lawful
means of support. Later on in the
day Detective Armstrong mado two
more arrests on the same charge. The
men apprehended were Sydney Nolan,
aged 26, laborer, and Alec Morrison,
aged 25, bookmaker.
Recruiting for the 7th Regiment
will be commenced on Monday night
next in order to complete the estab
lishment. An official notification will
appear in due course.
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