AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume XVII, Issue 234, 5 October 1886, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Cossack, W.A., September 20.

Tho Xlmbcrley Goldficlds. Thk Bteamer Otwny arrived from Derby at 6 p.m. She brings about 10 disappointed diggers. Edgar, a teamster, is said to have brought seven pounds of gold from tho field, tho results of sales of provisions. Many on the field aro sufferinj; from scurvy. The best report now is thrt some ars doing faiily well. The captain of tho Otway says it is impossible to obtain authentic infor mation in Derby. Personally he believod the goldfield to be a huge swindle, and that it will enrich none, but prove disastrous to thousands. The rains, which are so eagerly awaited, will only bring sickness and death. He urges, in the strongest terms, miners of Now South Wale 3 not to be gulled by reports spread by unprincipled persons, and says that May next will be ample timo to leave from the Sonth for the diggings, provided the field proves payable.

Perth, September 2Sth

Tho sohoonor Myrtle has arrived at Fremantlo from Cambridge Gulf with 40 returned diggers en routo to the other colonies. The steamer Otway has arrived at Cossack from Derby, with th'o following news:—Tbe "Inquirer's" special correspondent reports that on the road 140 miles from Derby tho track is very heavy indeed, and ho advises that diggers'drays should have at least four horses for every ton. Foed ia bad, but wator iB plentiful at an average stan-e of eight miles. Reports from tha fields are very bad ; hundreds are returning from them ; and he says the fiolds aro a fraud. At 125 miles from Derby the road ia Btill heavy for the most part. Up to date he had passed about 30 dead horses, which in his opinion died through outdriving. Lots of diggers are leaving the fields. Edgar reports -that thero are! as many arriving there as are leaving. Very few "are getting gold, A supply of cattle has arrived, and meat is la per lb. Flour is the [same. Locke Brothers and Co., on the Martjaret River, haveopenedastore and shoeing forgo, and are sending teams back to Derby for more stores. Would still strongly advise packing for the through journey. There is very little sickness on tho diggings now. The following telegram from the Government Resident at Derby (MrT. H. Love grove) to tho Governor is published in the "Daily News" to-day :—"Since my last <io your Excellency, from 12 to 14 Ib of gold have reached Derby from the fields. Bullock teams continue to arrivo. They load up and return. The condition of tho animals speaks well for tho feed and water on the roada. Several men^are leaving, disappointed with their venture. Theße are, however, men without means _to wait for the rainy season. It is a pity they did not take notice of the repeated warnings in the press that these diggings were not suited for men unless thoroughly equipped and with means to await the proper soason. I am cieiibly informed that gold is being got in nearly all tho old gullies. Fresh gullie3 can only bo prospected whon there is water for working tho dearth. No doubt during the next Baason care will bo taken to orect dams and conserve the water. Fire at Cameron's Tobacco Factory.

The following is the list of insurances on the tobacco factory of Messrs Cameron, destroyed by firo : —Imperial, £4000 ; Liverpool and London and Odobe, £^000 ; Commercial Union, £2300 ; Alliance of London, £2000; City of London, £2000; Hamburg, Magdeburg,£2ooo; New Zealand, £1500 ; Cornwall, £1500, Queen, £1500; Colonial Mutual £1000; Lion, £1000; Morcantilo Mutual, £1000 ; Scottish Union and National, £2000; Australian Mercantile Union, £1000; Standard of N Z £1000 ; Manchester, £1000; Pacific, £10110 ; Northern, £1000 ; North British and Mercantile, £1000 ; New South Wales, £1000; Anglo-American, £2000; Norwich Union, £1000: South British, £1000 • Glasgow and London, £1000 ; bun, £1000:' National of N. Z , £1000; Australian Mutual, £1000; Sydney Mutual £1000; Un'tod Australian Mutual, £1000 ; South Australian; £500 ; Union of N.Z , £1000 ; Australian Alliance, £500. Total, £42,500.

The Mount Rennle Outrage.

Tho hearing of the charge of criminally assaulting tho girl Mary Jano Hicks, against 14 men under arrest is proceeding at the Sydney Water Police Court. As tho story of tho outrage unfolds it becomes more and more sickening in lis Stanley's splendid conduct is the only bright spot in the whole of the disgusting affair, and judging by his deermined appearance, had ho at the time been possessed of a weapon of any sort other than his fists, some of the gang of larrikins would havesuffered ssriouslybefore they could have forced him to abandon the girl. In striking contrast is the action of some six lads and men, who watched the outrage on the girl without on en making an effort to rescue her, or to gne information of the matter to. the police. It is reported that ono of the prisoners has made a statement to the police authorities, in tho course of which he implicates several of those accused.