AUSTRALIA.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12378, 18 December 1905, Page 7

AUSTRALIA.

United Presa Association—By Electric Telegfaph—Copyright. WARSHIPS BREAKDOWN. SYDNEY, December 16. The Pioneer brings news tnat, owing to a breakdown after leaving Colombo, the Pyramus ie undergoing a general overhaul at Batavia before coming on to Australia. The Psycho remains with her. HAZARDS OF THE PASTORAL INDUSTRY. Tho consensus of opinion of pastonalists in evidence given before the Lands Commission, is that the pastoral industry is a hazardous undertaking, owing to droughts and heavy losses. The Central Division lands are not fit for settlement without expensive improvement, which is outem© the means of email settlers. USES OP WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY. The Powerful, while well out at sea, by wireleee telegraphy, announced her approach to the other warships in the harbour. AN OVERLOADED STEAMER. The steamer Libertue, flying the German flag, was ordered not to sail owing to her being loaded below the load line. Tho captain, hpwever, slipped out of port early in the morning without a pilot. EMBEZZLER SENTENCED. MELBOURNE, December 16. James «>alsh, late acting-chief accountant of the Railway Department, was sentenced to twelve months' imprisonment for embezzlement of the department's money. The amount involved is £1400, which was lost in speculating in mining. THE VICTORIAN TRAGEDY. At the inquest on Scanlon, liis mother failed to throw any light on the tragedy. She left her son and daughter talking amicably, and shortly after she heard shots. She denied that her son absented himself from home on account of altercations, or her refusal to 6upply him with funds. FROM CAPTAIN,TO SECOND MATE. The Marino Board has granted Mylius, late master of the La Bella, a Gtcond mate's certificate. CHILD KILLED AT A CIRCUS. The fall of a pole at Wirth'e circus killed the little daughter of the Rev. Mr Dunstan, and injured others. MASSACRE BY BLACKS. PORT DARWIN, December 16. News has been received of a massacre at Victoria River. The details are meagre. It is believed that the blacks attacked a Government boring party, killing two. Tho party captured and put in chains seven or eight natives. Bradshaws , launch arrived shortly after the massacre, and undertook to convey the natives to Port Darwin. Shortly after leaving, Bradshaws had the irons removed from the natives, who immediately attacked and murdered the wnolo crew, excepting tho black boy. The victirce' names are Bradshaws, Eggeroftj, Doanock, Skehan, and four black boys.

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