AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11365, 7 May 1900, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

By Telegraph.— Association.—Copyright.

THE GLENELG INQUIRY.

Melbourne, May 5. At the Glcnelg inquiry, an ex-fireman gave evidence (hat while chipping the vessel he was instructed not to hit so hard. One plate in the engineroom was ordered not to ho touched. The crew always slept in their clothes, owing to water coming through the forecastle.

An ex-mate said he thought the plates were thin, but pretty good. The breaking of one plate was put down to an accident. There were 50 or 60 lifebelts aboard, all new,

and they had plenty of boat drill.

SERIOUS FLOODS IN WEST AUSTRALIA.

Perth, May 5.

The floods are unabated in the northern goldficlds. Miles of country are under water. The roads to Coolgardie and Norseman are impassable, and famine is threatened. Many batteries have been stopped.

HOSPITAL SATURDAY.

Sydney, May 6.

For Hospital Saturday the weather was fine, and there was an army of lady collectors. The. effort was a great success. The collections arc incomplete, but already they exceed last year's total.

PRICK OF COAL.

Sydney, May 6.

Mr, Lyne, during the week, conferred with the Newcastle eoalownera. It is expected that the result will be an increase in the selling price of coal, consequent upon the increase in the hewing rales.

Sydney, May 6.

When the coal contracts expire in September, -it is anticipated that the colliery proprietors will raise the selling price to 9s per ton. _____