AUSTRALIAN ITEMS.

Feilding Star, Issue 325, 24 July 1907, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN ITEMS.

[HI BLBCTBIO IS-JBQBAPB— OaPTBIUHX.I IFBB PBBBB AS-OCIAC.ON.J COLLISION AT SEA. Received July 24, 9.34 a.m. Sydney. July 24. The steamer Kakapo, trom Davenport, met the barque. Eagle Craix, bound from Melbourne to Falmouth; with wheat, on Sunday, between Deal Island and Gabo The vessel requested to be supplied with Greenwich lime, and in rounding up ran font of tne steamer, denting one of her plates slightly. The bar .rue escaped serious injury. AN OPIUM FIND. The Health officer discovered 72 tins of opium floating near the heads, which were evidently dropped overboard from an eastern-bound steamer with a view of evading duty. Two Chinamen were seen in a boat in the vicinity v apparently with the intention of picking the opium up. MR DEAKIN IMPROVING. Melbourne, July 24. Mr Deakin is improving, but im medical adviser recommends a long sea voyage. Mr Deakin, however, has decided to resume work in a fortnight. METROPOLITAN LOAN. the Metropolitan Board of Works has accepted the offer of the Anatolian Mutual Provident Society to pur. chase £300,000 worth of debentures. QUEENSLAND POLITICS. Brisbane, July 24. Three members were nominated to the Speakership. A good deal of personality was imported into the discussion. Eventually all three candidates were rejected. At the Premier's suggestion the matter was allowed to stand over for a few houn. Then Mr Leahy was again nominated. The Premier supported him, and he was elected by 45 to 20 votes, the minority consisting of the Labor Party. There are indications of a coalition between the Government and the Opposition, throwing over the Labor Party. WHALEBOAT DISASTER. Norfolk Island, July 24. A whaleboat capsized in a heavy sea while rounding Nigger Head. Three swam ashore, but the reaminder were in great peril until a boat succeeded in dashing through the surf to their rescue. A man named Billy Adams was badly hurt through being crushed against a boat.