AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11440, 2 August 1900, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

By Telegraph.—Press Association.— EXPLOSION" ON BOARD A STEAMKR. Melhoubnh, August 1. A .ST.uvruNi; accident occurred on board the Norwegian steamer Nordfarer, bound from New York to this port. The steward entered a small hold, where naphtha was stored, under the poop, shortly before the vessel's arrival here. He took a light with him. A terrific explosion followed, which tore up the iron deck with the force of dynamite. The steward was found badly injured. He was blown through the hatchway. It. took an hour and a-half to extinguish the lire. THE PACIFIC CABLE. Sydney, August 1. The Government nominated Mr. Copelund to succeed Mr. Solomons on the Pacific Cable Board. Victoria luus agreed to this, but Queensland wishes Sir Horace Tozer to fill the vacancy. SOUTH AUSTRALIAN FINANCES. Adelaide, August 1. The Colonial Treasurer has announced that the revenue for the year was £2,780,000, whilst tin expenditure was £2,778,000, THE INDUSTRIAL LAWS. Sydney. August 1. At a meeting of tho Chamber of Commerce and representatives of a nunlber of labouremploying organisations, a motion was carried, " That in view of the dangerous and inequitable provisions of the Industrial Arbitration Bill, tho meeting is of opinion that tho industrial laws should be uniform throughout Australia, and urged the rejection of the Bill. SPECIE SHIPMENT. Sydney, August 1. Tho R.M.s. Mariposa, which left for Auckland and San Francisco to-day, took ii shipment of specie valued at £350,000, THE A.M.P. SOCIETY. Sydney, August 1. The proposal to amend the A.M.P. bylaws to permit of extension of business, was carried by 119.505 vof'"""'Q 28,820,