AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 4853, 1 March 1887, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY.

[pee s.s. tarawera at "auckland,] [per press association.] Melbourne, February 24. A terrible explosion occurred on "YVedues-, day morning at Arblaster's powder factory, near Eaglehawk, by which five lives were lost, and a number were injured. The most improved macluncry was in Use for manufacturing safety and largo grained powder. The factory had been giving employment to about a dozen persons, a large proportion, of whom were boys. The force of the explosion was heard a long distance away. One lad was picked up dead fifty or sixty yards away. It was stated that the magazine contained five or six tons of powder, and as the flames burned with fierceness the bodies of the unfortunate victims wero roasted. They were burned and charred beyond recognition. Nothing has yet been ascertained as to the cause. The magazine resisted the fire, and has not been destroyed. Syhney, February 24, A meeting of the Mutual Provident Society vras held yesterday. Resolutions were passed censuring the directors tor "•ranting bonuses and gratuities to retiring servants. The Chairman said Mr Ralston had retired under agreement that he was to receive a pension of £1200 a year, bo that matter was settled. Mr Ralston had received in all £1250 as. bonuses, and, Mr. Black, actuary, had received £2750, Altogether £7300 had been paid in bonuses to officers of tho sooioty. . r The theatrical, divorce, case, Montague

v. Montague, has been decided in favor of the petitioning wife. At a meeting of unemployed yesterday it was asserted that five .shillings a day was the minimum wages at which they would accept work. Mr Perry, (he Domain • rator, has lost his deposit in the Gloucester election. Sir Henry Parkes states that the deficit is to be wiped off, not by direct taxation, but by Treasury bills.