AUSTRALIAN.

Press, Volume XLVI, Issue 7246, 28 February 1889, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN.

—« — f PKE FBXBS ASSOCIATIOH.I Received February 27th, 1.15 p.m. LOSS OF A BARQUE. Melbourne, February 27. The barque James Harkness reports she met the barque Martina Johanna, bound from New York to Hall, and laden with kerosene, in a sinking condition. The crew 'were rescued from their perilous position, and the captain set fire to the Martina Johanna to prevent her becoming a derelict and endangering navigation. She blew up in three hours. EXPLOSION OF CHEMICALS. The chemicals in the drying-room of a hat factory at Richmond exploded, wrecking the building and seriously injuring two employes. KILLED BY LIGHTNING. Adelaide February 27. During a storm at Endunda, sixty miles north of this city, two children, named Brooks, were killed by lightning. THE SOUTHERN CEOSS. Hobabt, February 27. The loss of the steamer Southern Cross is attributed to the neglect of ! the coastal lights, they being clearly visible, and not, as alleged, obscured by smoke from bush fires. It is stated the crew got drunk after the accident,! otherwise the passengers' luggage would have been saved. j Received February 2Sth, L2O a.m. POLITICS IN NEW SOUTH WALES. Stdnxt, February 27. The Hon. James Henry Young has been re-elected Speaker of the Legislative Assembly by a majority of two over Mr Joseph Abbott, the Government nominee. .-' THE NEW CABLE. The new cable from Java to Roe, buck Bay has been successfully laidand the first cable was received across it this afternoon, <