The foundation stone "of the new Sydney Central Railway Station was laid by the New South Wales Premier, Sir John Lee, on 26th September. The new buildings will cover an area of 10 acres and with approaches 17}. acres. At the Iumchoon that followed the opening all the speakers adopted the optimistic tone. The Premier in-have no fear, but that New South Wales timated that the country's creditors need would meet all her obligations with credit to herself and satisfaction to those who had placed their confidence in her during the pst. Until, however, the Government could obtain money at' a somewhat lower rate than at present prevailing, te building operations would only be carried to the Poing, where ulilitw stopped. Works Minis. ter O'Sullivan claimed for the new buildin when completed, that they would be the "handsomest in' the world."
A Chinese Strike.
A novelty in the way of labouring disputes is now occurring in Melbourne, Some 150 Chinese operatives employed in furniture fact are out'on strike against a reduction in wages. Bad times have led to. a reduction of wages paid in the large establishments to the amount of 10%, but the smaller houses the old rate lias been tained. Proprietors of the—larger houses have therefore determined to oblai a monopoly of the trade, and to this end lave interviewed the merchants who supply the raw material and induced them to demand spot ash from the owners of he smaller factories. This squeezing process was evidently not acceptable to the operatives who thereupon left: work.
A New Sailors' Home, 'The foundation stone of the new Sail Heme was laid by the State Governor, Seorye Clarke, on 24th September. His Excellency was' accompanied hi Mayor and the Chairman of the Harbour Trust, whilst many prominent members of the shipping community were also present, The building, to cost £10,000, will be erected on a site given by the Harbour Trust, and in close proximity to the wharvas."A juan of honour from the turret, ship Cerberus ined the approach, whilst the band of the tions.
Brigade played appropriate selee-The building which is of handsome Corinthian design, ill provide accomodation for about" 100 seamen, and liberal ion fo comfort and recreation has been macle. The purchase price of the site, £400, was donated by the Harbour Trust, for the purpose of erecting a concert hall.
An Unwilling Bridegroom, A marriage which was unostentatiously celebrated at " matrimonial agency in Pitt-street, Sydney yesterday, had a sensational sequel. "Instead of the bride and bridegroom departing for home amid showers of rice and good wishes in the orthodox fashion, soon parted company. The bride went one with a brother and a friend, who acted witness. und the bridegroom took another route which led to the central police station. 'There the latter. whose name is G. H. Webb fa chemist), laid an information charging his bride, Maggie (nee Cheesbrough), and' the witnesses. J. S. Cheesbrough, and H. J. Marshall. with engaging in a conspiracy, companied by violence, to force him to through the manage ceremony against is will. "The case was put into the hands of detectives. and in due course the three parties mentioned were arrested. They were mitted to bail, and will appear before the Court in due course.
According to the allegations which complainant has communicated to his solicitor (Mr. E. R. Abigaill), he was accosted by the two witnesses {o the marriage in Glen-more-road on Thursday night. and at the point of a revolver was forced into a cab. He was then driven to a house in the city. where he was made stupid with drink,' and white in that condition he was, he declares. enticed this morning to a' matrimonial gency. where the marriage ceremony wits
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.