AUSTRALIA.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LI, Issue 5602, 7 February 1879, Page 5

AUSTRALIA.

[Reuter’s Telegrams.] MELBOURNE, Feb. 6. Sir B. O’Loughlin, acting Premier, stated in a speech yesterday, that he hoped the Prince of Wales weald open the Melbourne Exhibition. The work of clearing the rite has commenced. Dr Crooke’s illness is the result of intemperance, and is not suicidal. He took an overdose of chloral and morphia, and is now out of danger. Terrible fires are raging in Gippsland, Cape Otway, Ballarat, and Sandhurst districts. Immense damage has been done. The whole town was with difficulty saved. Melbourne is enveloped in dense smoke like that on Black Thursday. The heat is intense.

SYDNEY, Feb. 6.

Applications for space at the Exhibition are pouring in on all sides. He space applied for by other Colonies far exceeds the amount available.

A blackfellow, recently outlawed for murder, was shot down by the QLen Innis police. Patrick Jennings has presented £IOOO to the Sydney University Organ Fund. The Hon Mr de Salis has given notice of motion in the Council In favour of bounties of £SOOO to encourage the exportation of wheat and meat. BRISBANE, Feb. 6. George Stephens perished of thirst in the scrub at Warago. His mote was saved by a passing traveller, after suffering terribly. He even tried to alleviate his thirst by sucking packets of Epsom salts. ADELAIDE, Fan. 6. At Moonta there is a further reduction, owing to the copper depression. At Bopunda work has been suspended. Wheat is dull, and falling. The settlers are unable to sell. Country flour sold at £lO 6s per ton.