Weekly News. — 1891-05-14 (Blandford, Dorset, England)

DEATH OF AN AUSTRALIAN STATESMAN. Sir John Robertson. K.C.M.G., the well-known New South Wales statesman, whose death is just announced, at the age of 75, was born in Essex, in the year 1816. At an early age he was taken by his parents to Sydney, and remained in the colony until the age 0f.16. Being then anxious to see the world, he sailed for England, working his way out, and after making some sojourn in the mother country, went to South America. On his return to New South Wales, young Robertson turned his attention to farming, and soon became a prominent figure among the squatters of the colony. When, in 1856, New South Wales received its new Constitution. Mr. Robertson was the first man called upon to offer himself as a candidate. Being elected, he from that time forth took a prominent part in the political life of the colony, and two years later became a member of the Ministry, accepting the post of Minister for Lands and Works in the Administration of Mr. (afterwards Sir Charles) Cooper. Upon the retirement of the latter in 1860 Mr. Robertson became Premier. He afterwards held various posts in successive Ministries, and was himself Premier in 1860, 1868, 1885, and 1886. In 1877 his services were recognised by the Crown by the bestowal upon him of the dignity of K.C.M.O. [wring his short stay in England, w hen a youth, Mr. Robertson received much kindly notice from Lora Palmerston. It happened that a young man of good English family was serving on the farm of the elder Mr. Robertson as a convict labourer, and when young Robertson started for England this person entrusted to his care some letters to his relatives in the old country. Lord Palmerston chanced to hear of this circumstance, and, as the convict was the son of a neighbour of his lordship, the kindly nobleman invited the Australian youth to 116 house, and ultimately took him to see the mother of the banished man, in order that the sorrowing lady might learn all possible particulars regarding her absent son. Struck by hiS young visitor's abilities, Lord Palmerston expressed a desire to advance his prospects, for which Mr. Robertson thanked his lordship, but explained that, as he did not intend to remain long in England, he would be unable to avail himself. of the offer.  Signor Corte, the Italian consul, has addressed a letter to the district attorney of New Orleans, in which he declines to accept the dictum of Um grand jury, and argues that only two of the lynched Italians were citizens of the United States. A basis is consequently afforded for a general action for damages, which will probably be taken. Signor Corte has hlso written to the grand jury, complaining that in their report they altered the statements which he had made before them. He now declares that an extra judicial body, appointed by the ,nayor, premeditated the kilite of the Italian prisoners, and that a meeting was held at which the necessary steps were arranged in cold blood. Nothing whatever was done to prevent the murders, and some officials actually assisted in the tragedy. Mrs. Littlun (as her husband enters): "Mail Baby's asleep." Mr. Littlun: "But that's the only time I have a chance to be heard."  Their worst feature.—Mrs. Sanso: "The fashions change so often ?" Mr. Sans° (gloomily): "Yes, and they change a hundred dollar bill each time."  Near Tacoma there is said to be a sign which reads: "This road is not passable, not even jackassable; and those who wish to travel it should turn out and gravel it." German landlord (to agent for firm of winegrowers): "How is it you sell your red native wine dearer than the white?" Agent: "Do you think we get the colour for nothing?"