AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY.

Evening Post, Volume XXI, Issue 2, 4 January 1881, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY.

SERIOUS STOEMS AND LOSS OP LIFE. THE NEW IRELAND SETTLEMENT. TRICYCLES FOR TELEGRAPH MESSENGERS. [per tb anau, at the bluff.] Mklboubnh, 88th December. Intense heat, accompanied by blinding dttat storms, have prevailed. In Melbourne, on Sunday, the temperature reached 144deg. in the Bun, and 102deg. in the ahade, but fell 40deg. within a short period. Fears were entertained by the attendants for the safety of the Exhibition annexes during 1 the Kale, but the building withstood the fierce winds. Sir Redmond Barry's will was proved on the 23rd, the personalty being sworn under £10,000. On the same day the late Mr. Lyater's was sworn as J53.900. The Select Committee appointed to report on Parliamentary officials' salaries recommends that permanent provision for salaries of the president and outer officials be made by Aot of Parliament, the objeot being to prevent a recurrence of the reductions recently contemplated by the Government. Pilot Gaunson, brother to the Chairman of Committees, was drowned at Queensoliffe on Christmas Day, by falling from the pier. The body was subsequently reoovered. Sydney, 28th December. Extremely hot weather is general through* out the colony, and last week was aooom* panied by bush fires and dust storms. The Wallsend Company reduoe the pries of their coal to eight BuilT.ngj per ton from the lßt January. The steamer Genie, of tho Marquis Do Bay's expedition, arrived here to-night. The captain reports that the colonists at Port Breton are comfortable and working vigorously. They comprise two classes, one conneoted with the Marquis De Ray's oompany, and the other free settlers. There are two harbours, half a mile apart, named English Cove and Irish Cove. The anchorage is deep, and a' splendid stream of water rnns into each harbour. The formation of roads is proceeding steadily, one leading to Tiki Tiki, a distanoo of five miles. The captain of the Genie spent several hours ashore. He says there are three streams navigable for a steam launch. Those on shore are in good health, and contented with the prospeot of the place. It is stated that by the introduction of tricycles for telegraph messengers the Sydney Government will save J6600 in ooßt of forage alone, and that the total saving will form an appreciable item in the working of the department. Hobabt, 30th December. Great heat prevailed in Hobart on Sunday. followed by a hurricane, which continued ■during Monday. Two persons were drowned in the Derwent during the rale. The oricket pavilion was blown down, Killing one child j and injuring ,a dozen other persons, who < were taken to the hospital.