AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10515, 7 August 1897, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Press Association.~Eleetric Telegraph.—Coprri(hli DESTRUCTIVE FIRE IN SYDNEY. Sidney, August 6. ' A ettEAi fir* took place in the city at half* put three o'clock this morning. A fiM four-storey building, occupied by the Australian Star, in Castlereagh-streeb, was completely destroyed. The fire muab have been burning some time, (or by the time the brigade received a call the building was a seething mass of flames. A southerly breeze aided the fire, which lit up the city. The flames were blown over the Beresford Chamber*, where the New Zealand Frew Association office is located, and threatened each moment to set the roof on fire. Thf strenuous effort* of the brigade managed te confine the fire to the newspaper office, which was burned out) from cellar to garret. The Star printing machinery, though knocked about by falling debris and damaged by water, is believed not to have been touched by the fire. The building was insured tor £3000 in an English office, while the contents were insured for £13,000 in the City Mutual, with £11,000 re-insured,

STRIKE OP MINERS. Sydney, August 6. The Lucknow miners have struck work.

SCENE IN PARLIAMENT. Mklkoorne, August 6. In the Assembly when the Common* wealth Bill was called on, a scene occurred owing to Mr. Frendergast remarking in response to references to the 1890 strike that members on the opposite side bad been mixed in dishonourable proceedings in thai year. Efforts were made to obtain a with* drawal of the words but Mr. Prendorgaati refused. Ultimately the recalcitrant membef was suspended for the sitting.