AUSTRALIAN NEWS,

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 10015, 30 December 1895, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS,

Press Association. -Electric Telegraph.— FATAL BOILER EXPLOSION. Sydney, December 28, By a boiler explosion at, a bonemill near West Maitland, Booth, tho engineer, was scalded to death, and a man named Newton lies in a precarious state from shock to the System.

A STEAMER AGROUND. Brisbane, December 28. The steamer Duko of Westminster rati aground on Parker's Island. Tugs failed to shift her at high tide.

AUSTRALIAN METEOROLOGY. Brisbane, December 28. Mr. Wragge, the Government, Meteorologist, has completed a chain of observing stations from Tasmania to Thursday Island, and it only remains for the South Auska« lian Government to do a similar work to Port Darwin. This will render an immense service to Australasian moteorolcgy.

DEATH AT SEA. Hobart, December 28. A steerage passenger named Alexander Shearer died from ajjuc during the voyage of the Rualiine. The steamer spuko the barque Rangitikei steering east in latitude 47' south 90' east; all well.

STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. Sydney, December 28. During a thunderstorm last night the lightning struck the flagstaff on Admiralty House, travelled along the telephone wires, fused the gaspipes, and ignited the escaping gas, but tho fire was extinguished boforo a great amount of damage was done. STEAM TUG COLLISION. Sydney, December 29. The steam tugs Loveret and Storm Cock collided at the Heads yesterday. The, former sank, bub the crow wore landed I safely. CAPE AGRICULTURALISTS. Adelaide, December 28. Tho Cape Colony's Agricultural Commission has arrived here. It visits tho southeast district of this colony, thence goes to tho other colonies and Now Zealand. AUSTRALIAN MINING. Perth, Decembor 28. The returns of tho crushing of stono from the Great Boulder initio, Kalgoorlie, from April to December gives GJozs to the ton. The Lako View mines output for twelve months averaged three ounces. ANGLO-COLONIAL CRICKET. Meusocksk, December 28. At a meeting of tho Australian Cricket Council llarry Musgrovo was appointed manager of the toam to visit England. Bruce, G. Giffen, and Garrett were appointed a selection cominitteo. The names of the men selected are to bo submitted for tho consideration of the Council by February 8. PROPOSED FEDERATION OP CYCLING LEAGUES. Sydney, December 28. An open letter has beon addressed by & leading official of the loague of wheelmen to his brother cyclists in tho colonies, suggesting a federation of Australian leagues, and disclosing a scheme for its accomplishment. Each colony is to havo a centre located in the capital town, and each branch is to havo power to fix it 3 own subscription and entrance feo.

FATAL EMEUTE AT NOUMEA. Sydney, December 28. News from Noumea states that a party of a hundred New Hebridean recruits attacked about an equal number of Now Caledonian natives in the streets of Noumea. Some of tho men were armed with out-of-date revolvers and carbines, but) half ascoro wore wounded and one killed. Tho local police dispersod the mob. The tnuule ii the outcome of tho aversion of the loca' natives to tho imported labour.

Strong antagonism exists between the Europeans and natives. At Kone some natives attempted to rob a store, when an official shob ono dead, Instead of taking revongo on tho officer tho natives subsequently returned to tho township and shot Alderman Loquot dead.