AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9719, 15 January 1895, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Press Asiociation.— Electric Teleeraph. —Copyrighk THE WEST AUSTRALIAN TELEGRAPH LINES.

Sydney, January 14. Great complaints have been made lately about the working of the telegraph lines in Western Australia. The Port Darwin line is interrupted, but the Western Australian lines, which are supposed to give an alternate route, are declared to be unworkable at present, and are therefore unable to assist in the transmission of the English and foreign cable messages, which are accumulating at Port Darwin. THE COLLIERY DISPUTES. Sydney, January 14. The balloting in connection with the pro* posed strike of miners at Newcastle has been completed. The figures show that 1874 men voted in favour of a strike being declared, and 1216 against a strike. As the requisite two-thirds majority was not obtained there will be no general strike.

The difficulty at Hetton colliery has been settled, and the threatened strike avoided.

Newcastle, January 14. The decision of the Delegate Board, that lodges having disputes with companies with regard to reductions in the hewing rate should endeavour to settle the matter locally, not giving unmixed satisfaction, the miners engaged in both the Seaham and West Wallsend collieries have rejected the Board's resolution, the speakers declaring that if it was endorsed by the district ib would mean the break up of the Association, as the men would decline to subscribe if they had to fight their own battles.

The Seaham miners have notified the management that they are prepared to return to work, but the manager declined to recognise the men as a lodge, and said they could apply individually. The Wallsend collieries have reduced the selling price of coal to 7s 6d in consequence of the strike ballot of the various miners resulting in the withdrawal of the demand for an advance in the hewing rate. VICE-ADMIRAL BOWDEN-SMITH. Sydney, January 14. Vice-Admiral Bowden-Smith has sailed for London in the Ormuz.

DEPARTURE OF THE CRESCENT. Sydney, January 14.

H.M.s. Crescent has sailed for England with six hundred time-expired officers and men.

NEW SOUTH WALES TIMBER INDUSTRY.

Sydney, January 14.

With a view of facilitating the timber industry, the Government has granted a site at Balmain for the purpose of erecting works for seasoning the timber to be tent to the European market. The Government is also building a large wharf adjoining the land, which will be capable of accommodating vessels of the largest draught. The plant will be capable of seasoning two million feet annually. By the Reiser process, which ib has been decided to adopt, timber can be perfectly seasoned in three weeks, which would otherwise require years naturally.

MEAT SHIPMENTS FOR ENGLAND.

Sydney, January 14.

An English cattle dealer visiting here, and who is engaged in the live cattle trade, has purchased 220 head for shipment to England. He strongly condemns the practice of local butchers in handling the meat, which he asserts should rest for 24 hours before being killed, and then hung for 48 hours in the chilling chamber before being offered to the public. He also strongly urges the value of chilling beef instead of freezing it for the English market. He believes chilled meat would stand the voyage all right, and would realise more than the frozen article.

VICTORIAN INSOLVENCY RECORDS.

Melbourne, January 14.

The insolvency records show that there were 20 less sequestrations last year than in 1893. The total liabilities amounted to £4,560,000 and the assets to £1,968,000.

POSTAL CONFERENCE.

Melbourne, January 14.

It has been finally arranged that the Postal Convention meet at Hobarb, on the Ist February.

VICTORIAN POLITICAL CRISIS.

Melbourne. January 14.

Speaking at Healesville, Sir J. B. Patter* son indicated that the Opposition party would be willing to adopt a friendly attitude towards the Government.

The Premier finds that it will nob be necessary to prorogue Parliament in order to resubmit the Income Tax proposals. The Government subsidy to municipal bodies will probably be reduced by £100,000.

CRUSHED TO DEATH BY MACHINERY.

Adelaide, January 14.

A shooking accident happened in the engine-room of the steamer Bulimba during her voyage from Melbourne. A young married woman named ■ Evans was being shown over the machinery in the engineroom, when her dross caught in the bolts of the shaft coupling, and she was instantly crushed to death. The evidence at the inquest disclosed the fact that the unfortunate woman persisted in seeing the i

machinery, against the advice of those in the engine-room.

DISCOVERY OP A NEW GOLD REEF.

Perth, January 14.

A new reef has been discovered three miles south of the Ninety Miles. lb has been traced through 30 acres, carrying fine gold the entire length, lb is estimated the reef will yield from one to five ounces to the ton. There are also two parallel reefs.

FLOODS AT COOLGARDIE. Perth, January 14 ; " , The heavy rains, accompanied by flood*, continue at Coolgardie. All the dams are overflowing. •< '-. ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE. Brisbane, January 14. . The Association for the Advancement) of '■■■ ■ - . vs... . Science has commenced its session, -