AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1135, 1 February 1884, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

A shocking tragedy was perpetrated at Prahan on the' l9tb. Charles Rice, a tailor, beat his wife to death with a billet of wood, and Severely injured his daughter. The highest individual innings ever made in Australia was made on the 10th nit. by W. Bruce—32B, not out. * A fall of earth occurred at a mine at Homebnsh, Victoria, on-the IBth nit., by which thirteen men were buried alive., i'wo of the number, seeing indications of danger.' ran to warn their comrades, and so cut off 1 their own escape. They fortunately discovered a 'small aperture, through which they emerged after great difficulty; but the affair threatened to become a renetition of the Creswiok disaster, as the debris would have taken a long time to clear away. The Marqais of Normanby was to visit Sydney on the 24th in order to visit the steamship Australia, by which His Excellency and suite proceed to San Francisco on April 24th. Mr Pox, M.L.A., received £SO from the Earl and Countess Rosebrrry, for distribution amongst Jewish charities in Melbourne. The Hon. Ivo Bligh is a passenger from Home by the P. and O. Rosetta, which is expected at Albany about the Ist of February. A meeting was to be held in Melbourne on the 2lst to welcome Mr Booth, the leader of the • Blue Ribbon movement, who is visiting the colonies Pour men—O’Malley, M‘Manus, Galvin, and M'Cosker -who were charged with sticking np Scott’s Hotel, IBlack Mountain, were brought to trial at Sydney. O’Malley received 10 years’ hard labour, and the others were discharged. The funeral at Sydney of Lady Cowcer was largely attended. The Premier, Sir John Robertson, and the Dean of Sydney were among those present. A communication has been received from Mr Anthony Willows, of the New South Wales Stock Department, who is in Tasmania inquiring into the subject of tubercolosis and its effect upon rabbits. He states that he found the disease prevalent in a large proportion of rabbits, but he is not of the opinion that they infect sheep or cattle. A meeting of the New Sonth Wales Commission at the Calcutta Exhibition recommended asking the Indian Government whether, in the event of a direct line of steamers being established between Australia and India, they would be willing to grant a remission of port dues. Lord Rosebery arrived at Adelaide on the' ISth. He insneotel the city, and break-. fasted with the Governor. A banquet was given in the Town Hall at night, and was brilliantly attended. Earl Rosebery made a speech, expressing the great interest he felt in the colonies, and applauding the stand made 1 against the French Reoidivisite scheme. He would always to his best to return the kindness shown to him during his visit. The barque Chitter grounded on Marine Reef. The tag Eleanor went to her assistance, but *he tow rope parted, and the mate, William Porter, was killed on the spot, and Captain Gortley was seriously injured. Sydney, January 24. A debate took place in the Assembly yesterday on the second reading of the Va'idating Bill brought in by the Government to set at rest doubts raised as to the legality of seats held by certain Ministers owing to certain technicalities having been omitted. The second reading passed by 59 to 6. Owing to increased lawlessness in the city and suburbs the Government, has decided to provide additional police protection in the shape of mounted patrols. One of the most brilli mt Masonic gatherings ever seen in Sydney took place yesterday. on the occasion of the dedication of a Masonic hall. About 700 Freemasons were present, and they proceeded in procession to . Christ Church, where a full choral service was heid. The Earl of Rosebery has given 50 guineas for two prizes at the University—one on the future, and ona on the growth of the Australian colonies. The stranded steamers Lismore and Richmond still remain fast at Baltina, but hopes are entertained of getting them off. Very destructive bush fires have occurred near Newcastle. For four miles ronnd there has been almost a circle of fire. The whole place was filled with dense flames and smoke. All the localities around suffered more or less. Several files spread from Adamstown to the poppetheads of the A.A. Company’s coalpit. The men working under the ground only escaped with difficulty. The distress of the wives and families when the pit caught fire was agonising. All over the country the weather has been intensely hot and dry. Rain is greatly wanted. The Rev. J. H. Fletcher has been elected president ot Wesleyan Methodist Conference for the year. The Geographical Society have agreed to co-operate with the parent society in London in an exp'or.ation of New Guinea, but not nnder Mr Wilfred Powell. It is reported that the late Mr Jas. Bright, of Wollongong, bequeathed the whole of his property, valued at L 40,000, to the Wesleyan sustentation fund. ; Brisbane. The second reading of the Polynesian Labourers Act Amendment Bill has been 'carried. The Premier said that there were now about 14,000 Kanakas employed in the colony, being allowed to displace Europeans from employment. |lt was intended only to tolerate those Kanakas tor a time. Tho Treasurer in introducing the Budget said that the present position, both as regards revenue and new loan obligations, justified a bold and vigorous loan policy, which he hoped in the next session of Parliament would be announced, Melbourne The Australian Borneo Land Company yesterday appointed a committee to draw np a scheme to deal with a portion of the land already secured. The Governor, in the University dispute, has given his decision in favour of the Senate—that the Council was not justified in offering certain scholarships and exhibitions. Nothing further has transpired respecting the murder of Prances Beach near Geelong. The black trackers are being employed. A movement is on foot for paying labourers at eight instead of ten shillings per day. A strike is threatened. The employees in Bedgood’s boot factory have struck for a rise in their wages.