AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10328, 31 December 1896, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Press Aasociatlon.-KlßctricTeletraph.-Ciiwrigl.t, BASEBALL TEAM FOR AMERICA. Melbourne, December HO. Ax a meeting of baseball player:*, ye-.ter. day, it was decided to send a team to America in March next, under Mr. 11. Musgrove's management.

THE TOUR OF THE AUSTRALIAN ELEVEN. Melbourne, December 30. The report presented by the Cricket Council says the hearty congratulations of all Australians arc- due to the team tor the manner in which they strove to uphold the reputation of Australian cricket, Mr. H. Muagrove, the manager, presented a report which referred principally to the team's succes?. Replying to the question why they did not return before November 30, he said he had to bo governed by the majority. Their visit to New Zealand only made them fifteen days late. The Adelaide delegates thought that while the team had done wrong, still tho way in which they had acquitted themselves had made them not blameablo to any great extent. They also thought the chairman of the Council had exceeded his powers in regard to the directions and advice g.ven to the team. The report was adopted, and a voto of thanks to Mr. Musgrovo was curried. A motion declaring that the latter had forfeited the confidence of the Council was lost by eight votes to three. The Council passed a motion that in future it should finance, control, and organiso visits to England and elsewhere.

A COLOSSAL CONTRACT. Syd.vev, December 30. The tenders for the colossal work of manufacturing 150,000 tons of steel rails closed to-day. Only ono local tender was received, bat a number may be received by the Agent-General. Under the terms of the contract) fcho rails have to be made in the colony, and will involve the immediate expenditure of £100,000 on machinery, unci provide constant employment for at least 500 men. The expenditure during the continuance of the contract will be over half a million in wages alone.

THE CYCLONE. Sidney, December 30. It is estimated that the Nevertire cyclone was six miles wide. Trees were uprooted wholesale for a distance of fifteen miles.

INTERCOLONIAL CRICKET. Mklbochnk, December 30. The Victorian second innings closed for 229 runs. MeLeod made 78, Harry 18, and Stucking 10. Howell took 1 wicket for 55, McKibbin 3 for SO, Turner none for 38, Conningham. 0 for 38. New South Wale-, requiring seven runs to win, soon knocked them up, but lost a wicket in doing so.

DOMESTIC TRAGEDY. Brisbane, December 30. A double tragedy is reported from Thurs. day Island, where a Japanese shot his wife and then himself. Jealousy was the cause. SERIOUS RACECOURSE ACCIDENT. Brisbane, December 30. During the Clermont races lour horses fell. Hannou, the rider of one, sustained dreadful injuries, and was killed almost instantly. Three others, named Quinlan, Jennings, and Swient, were also injured, the first named being in a critical condi tion.

PRIVY COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS. Melbourne, December 30.

lb is reported that Judge Williams has withdrawn his nomination for appointment to the Privy Council, and that the Government will therefore now support the appointment of Mr. Justice Way, of Adelaide.

A COLONIAL INVENTION. Melbourne, December 30. An English syndicate has offered forty thousand pounds in cash, or twenty-five thousand in cash and twenty-five thousand shares, for the rights of the "Just" torpedo, the invention of Captain Just, of Tasmania. The second offer has been accepted.