AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7302, 14 April 1885, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(BY THE WiIHOBA, AT THE BLUJ'F.) Mblboubkb, April 8. At the Easter encampment at Frankaton, the muster wan 1190 men. The metropolitan force arrived there on Friday last, but the country troops did not arrive till Saturday morning. The camp arrangements were excellent. The Governor visited the camp on Saturday, Major Sargood accompanying him. At Fort Phillip Heads the forts were occupied, and the Victorian fleet sailed down the bay and anchored near Sorrento. The man at the forte had good ball practice, and a sham fight took place between the ships and forts. A sham fight also took place at Mordialloc, one side attacking and tho other defending the local railway station. Two large fires occurred in the city on Monday night; one at Cohen's furniture factory, Lonsds,le-street, two workshops and two cottages being completely destroyed. The loss is estimated at £1500, whioh is nut covered by insurance. The other fire was at John Sharp and Son's eaw-mills, Sandridgeroad. The fire commenced about five o'clock, and was not anbd ued until Tuesday morning. The loss is estitnatcd at £20 V OOO, which is covered by insurance.

A remarkable tragedy was discovered yesterday morning at South Melbourne. It appears that for soma- time past a man named Bowden has laboured under the delusion that he was perpetually surrounded by larrikins anxious to kill him. He carried about him a revolver, and his wife being alarmed asked the police to interfere, as she thought her life endangered. The pelioe declined to do so, unleis a warrant was taken out, which the wife would not do. On Monday the couple seemed Oα excellent terms, but on Tuesday morning when the house was entered the two bodies were' found lying side by side, the husband with a revolver in his hand with three chambers still loaded. It is supposed that the husband shot the wife first and then himself.