AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9026, 12 April 1888, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[press association.]

NEW ANGLICAN DIOCESE. Brisbane, April 11. A new Anglican diocese is to be established in central Queensland. The district will extend from the coast to the inland border. PHYLLOXERA IN VICTORIA. Melbourne, April 11. The Geelong vignerons have asked the permission of the Government to replant the vines, but the Minister in charge of the department has declined to grant their request, as phylloxera has not been thoroughly eradicated. WHEAT YIELD IN NEW SOUTH WALES. Sydney, April 11. The wheat yield this year is slightly over 12 bushels to the acre, as against an average of 14*88 for the last ten years. THE RABBIT PEST. Sydney, April 11. _ Mr. Loik has written asking permission to introduce microbes into the colony for the purpose of destroying the rabbits. At present a party are visiting the Tullee country for the purpose of investigating the habits of the rabbits. THE SYDNEY SYNOD. Sydney, April 11. Bif hop Barry, in his opening address in the Synod ; defended the Church from the imputation of using backstairs influence against the Divorce Extension Bill. He said it proceeded openly by petition. He characterised the omission of grace at the Centennial banquet as a grave offence. SHOWERS OFHOT ASHES. Brisbane, April 11. Vessels from New Guinea report having met with showers of hot ashes. THE MELBOURNE EXHIBITION. Melbourne, April 11. The space applied for at the Exhibition is 340,000 feet. The number of feet available under cover is only 243,000 feet, and the committee have been compelled to reject all applications for space lor_ imported machinery. The tunnel which it is proposed to drive under the Yarra River will cost £80,000. Admiral Fairfax has consented to the Naval Squadron assisting at the Exhibition manoeuvres. SENTENCE OF DEATH. Sydney, April 11. The man Grace, the Armidale murderer, has been sentenced to death. LEPROSY AT CROYDON GOLDFIELDS. Brisbane, April 11. Leprosy has broken out at the Croydon goldfields. _ Miners are petitioning to have the Asiatic and African aliens, except gardeners, ejected from the field. PROPOSED NEW CABLE TO INDIA. , 0 Perth (W.A.), April 11. The contractors for the AlbanyBeverley railway line have offered to lay a cable to India, retaining the sole right to work it, if certain concessions are allowed to them on the land lines. A RAILWAY COLLISION. Perth (W.A), April 11. A railway collision occurred near Claremont. The engine of a passenger train was injured, the passengers shaken, but none hurt. THE POLITICAL CONTEST. Brisbane, March 11. , One hundred and seventy candidates are announced for 72 seats. 78 are avowed protectionists,and 10 freetraders. Separation is not a vital question, only 9 having declared for it. 80 candidates support Mr. Mcllwraith, and 70 Sir S. Griffith, and 20 have not declared which side they will support. SHIPPING. Sydney, April 11. Sailed : Clyde, from Newcastle for Foxton. The Pukaki, for Wellington. The s.s. Titus, which went ashore at Warnambool, is insured for £7000. She has not yet been floated off.