AUSTRALIA.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCVII, Issue 11225, 24 March 1897, Page 5

AUSTRALIA.

[Pbr Press Association.! THE TICK PEST. BRISBANE, March 23. The Premier promised a deputation of pastoralists that the Government would favourably consider a proposal to obtain the services of a leading European scientist to report on the tick plague. A CYCLONE. SYDNEY, March 23. A cyclone swept Norfolk Island at the end of last month and destroyed the postoffice and several other buildings. At Cascades a terrific sea did great damage to the landing place. FRUIT PULP. The difficulties in the way of expense in sending fresh fruit to England are causing growers to turn their attention in a new direction. They are sending Home a test shipment of three tons of assorted fruit pulp, specially prepared and packed under the direction of a Board of experts. There are great expectations of opening up a large trade in this direction. 1 i THE AUSTRALIAN SQUADRON. H.M.S. Ringdove, which is to be replaced by the Torch, bade farewell to the Australian station to-day, when she sailed for Portsmouth, where the crew will be paid off. MELBOURNE. March 23. The Defence Department has prepared a statement showing the annual contributions of the various colonies for the maintenance of the Auxiliary Squadron due in April. New Zealand’s contribution is <£2oßo. ALLEGED EMBEZZLEMENT. A warrant has been issued for the arrest of W. L. Robertson, security clerk of the Colonial Mutual Insurance Company, on a charge of embezzling -C345, the company’s moneys. The total involved is alleged to bo .£4OOO, the proceeds of systematic frauds extending over the last nine years. Robertson disappeared, and left a letter pointing to his intention to commit suicide.