AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9013, 28 March 1888, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

A DEFAULTING CLERK.

Melbourne, March 27. Charles Prescott, formerly employed in the office of the Lyttelton Times Company, Christchurch, as clerk, has been arrested here on a charge of embezzling monies belonging to that company.

PROSECUTION OF PUGILISTS. Sydney, March 27. A number of the leading pugilists were summoned before the Magistrate's Court this morning, on a charge of creating a breach of the peace, by participating in a glove-fight. The case was dismissed on the grounds of insufficient evidence. AUSTRALIAN COPPER. Adelaide, March 27. The Moonta Copper Company have sold the output of their mines for two years to the London brokers at £4 advance on the average price paid fotChilian copper. The Paris syndicate offered a minimum price of £61 per ton. SUPPOSED DIAMOND DISCOVERY. Adelaide, March 27. The Maud River Ruby Company have discovered on their property stones which are supposed to be diamonds. THE WINDSOR RAILWAY ACCIDENT. Melbourne, March 27. Messrs. Gavin and Gibson, boot importers, intend to sue the Government, claiming £10,000 damages for injuries sustained in the Windsor railway accident. THE POPULATION OF VICTORIA Melbourne, March 27. The population of Victoria is 1,367,1 A PLAGUE OF MICE. Sydney, March 27. Enormous numbers of mice are making their appearance in the Coorangoola district, and the devastation of crops is most serious. RABBIT EXTERMINATION. Sydney, March 27. Since the passing of the Rabbit Act in 1883, the cost of the means taken to exterminate them has been Is. per acre, and each rabbit destroyed 3£d. POPULATION OF NEW SOUTH WALES. Sydney, March 27. The population of New South Wales is put down at 1,042,919. THE FIRE ON BOARD THE ARISTOMENE. Sydney, March 27. The evidence adduced at the inquiry into the origin of the fire on board the ship Aristomene, at Newcastle, showed that three distinct fires were wilfully or carelessly caused. A STORMY VOYAGE. Sydney, March 27. v The John Knox has put into Jackson short of provisions. She experienced a series of heavy gales, and had to run north to escape their fury. THE KIMBERLEY MINES. [Melbourne, March 27. The Jackson Reef Company, whose mine is at Kimberley, and was utterly condemned by the manager, has sent a party to inspect it. They report having found splendid stone. The manager acknowledges he was altogether wrong. LOCAL OPTION. Melbourne, March 27. The local optionists have been victorious at Geelong. SOUTH AUSTRALIAN RAILWAYS. Adelaide, March 27. Fifty-four applications have been received for the IJnder-Commissionership of Railways. Some have been received from New Zealand. FRENCH ESCAPEES. Cooktown, March 27. The Albatross has brought three French escapees, taken off an island in Torres Straits, where they have been for two months. QUEENSLAND EXPORTS. Brisbane, March 27. The exports for the year amount to £5,538,000. CATTLE DISEASE. Brisbane, March 27. The report of the Cattle Board shows that the stock disease is contagious, and s due to vegetable parasites, not affecting the wholesomeness of the meat, but causing the animals to shed their wool md hair. A remedy is being sought for. [press association.] SHIPPING. Melbourne, March 27. Arrived : The Johan Broderson, from /he Kaipara. Brisbane, March 27. The Louisa Lamontwas towed off the ■eef, little damaged.