LATE AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Marlborough Express, Volume XVI, Issue 64, 17 March 1881, Page 2

LATE AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

THE CERBERUS DISASTER.

SUGGESTED CAUSE OF THE EXPLOSION. Melbourne, March 8. The Cerberus torpedo accident engrosses consideration m Melbourne. It appears that a gig, with a 70-pound torpedo on board, proceeded to make the last of a series of experiments. While the torpedo was being lowered into the water the wire became entangled with an osr, and the torpedo exploded, blowing three men to atoms ; one other survived a short time ; the fifth was killed immediately, but the body was recovered ; while Jasper, the sixth man, miraculously escaped with a few bruises. Houston, of the Torpedo Corps, seeing Jasper struggling m the water, gallantly swam to his assistance, and, at the risk of his own life, was the means of bringing hime save aboard the Cerberus. The cause of the accident is at present shrouded m mystery, but an enquiry is immediately to be held. Mr Murray, Chief of the Torpedo Corps, suggests the faulty construction of the torpedo with the dynamite atop excluding nitro-glycenne, causing a premature explosion. One thing is perfectly clear — there was no connection with the current of the battery and the torpedo wire. The inquest on the bodies commenced at Williamstown on Monday. Sydxky, March 8. Numbers of immigrants are arriving at Newcastle from New Zealand m search of employment. Adelaide, March 8. Mr Pilcher, accountant to the English and Scottish Bank, is going to Eugland, where he intends bringing before the Home capitalists the transcontinental railway scheme, the proposal being to start a company with six millions of capital. Mr Pilcher believes the Government would give a concession of fiftyseven million acres, or fifteen thousand per mile. His visit, however, is quite unofficial. Perth, March 8. The rlrst section of tha railway connecting Fieemantle with Guildfofd was opened by the Government on 2nd March.