Australian Summary.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume IX, Issue 1568, 7 March 1887, Page 2

Australian Summary.

[PER "WAKATIPU AT WELLINGTON.]

(united press association.)

SYDNEY, February 28.

A steamboat collision occurred last nigbt. Tbe Manly steamer Emu, with about 260 passengers aboard, left the pier at ten minutes past eleven, and when only a short distance off, met the North Shore ferry steamer Waratah coming in. The two collided with a tremendous crash, the iron steamer literally running over tbe wooden one, 311 st in close proximity to the paddle-box, and she sank in a few minutes. A large proportion of tbe Emu's passengers were women, and there was something like a panic aboard. Tbe boats were soon on the spot, and those who were on the Waratah were picked up and brought to shore. The Emu had her steering gear damaged, but otherwise she whs uninjured. An accident of this kind has long been foreseen, as thesteamei"3 have t» cross each other to aud fro.

Mr. Dibbs, one of the elect for Murrumbidgee, but last on the poll, cousiders that a union of the protectionist, selectors, and squatters members will effect tbe defeat of the Ministry before the end of the year.

In his speech before the Chamber of Commerce yesterday Mr. McMillan dealt with the question of Freetrade and the colonial mining industry. He urged the unselfish work of educating the people in the tiue principles of political and commercial freedom and colonial borrowing of which he expressed no alarm. Speaking of the mining industry aud tho Sock Exchange he said that the mining atmosphere reeked with the unsavory odour of blacklegs anj swindlers.

Two Chinese war vessels are shortly expected on Queensland shores with a, commission for enquiring into the social relations of the Chinese subjects in the colonies.

ADELAIDE, Febuary 23.

Considerable eicUevnont was raised amongst tbe unemployed owing to the fact that the Government had contracted with an English firm for bridge work. Tho Minister of Works said the reasou was that the work could be d .ne 48 per cent, cheaper.

Ebeuezer Ward Chairman of Committees, has been declared insolvent.