AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11563, 29 January 1901, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS .

3y Telegraph.—Press Association.— THE IMPERIAL TROOPS. Melbourne, January 28. Unless further instructions are received the , [mperial troops will probably sail for New. Zealand on Tuesday. . - ■:-.--. •'"■-■ ; '■'; ■~' - : ':-'.' ; i'/- LatSbb. Speaking in regard to the. visit of the . troops to New Zealand Mr. Seddon states • that the Britannic will leave to-morrow night, but the Dalhousie, with the. Indian Contingent, is unable, owing to the necessity for' repairs, to leave; till Wednesday :or Thursday. As she is only a IQ-knot boat, she ■would only catch the Britannic- at Lyttelton. This would prevent Southland and . Otis-go■ seeing the men. " Mr. Seddon has therefore suggested that the Dalhousie should go to the Bluff, even though some days after the others. The men might be trained through to Dunedin and Christ-' . church. • , ■•.■"■' ;• . ) POLO TEAM FOR NEW ZEALAND. > : '.:.j. :C : x: ■:; Melbourne, January 23. The Victorian polo team, consisting of Messrs. Manifold, Wood, AfHec, and Robertson (2), leave for New Zealand next week Each player takes four ponies. THREATENED POST OFFICE STRIKE, Perth, January 28. • Owing to the Postmaster-General defining to officially recognise the Post and Telegraph Association, the matter culminated by the staff delivering an ultimatum that they intended to go out on strike. A conference was held, which resulted in the Minister promising to bring the matter before the Cabinet to-morrow. A truce has been arranged till then. . "■':/' ;.,. LETTERS; AND CABLES. . Melbourne, January 28.. 1 Mr. Seddon had an interview With the Postmaster-General with reference to the delivering of New Zealand penny letters. The Pacific cable scheme, which Mr. Seddon ads' vocated in opposition to the Cape cable, was also discussed. Mr. Gurr replied that he was strongly of opinion that, the Eastern Extension Cable Company's offer should ba accepted at once. He was disposed to favourably consider the delivery of New :Zea« land letters with penny stamps. _ = Later. ■ I Mr. Seddon believes a satisfactory solution. j of the penny postal difficulty will eventuate.; I Pie has had an interview with Mr. Warren, of the East-em Extension Cable Company, respecting the reduction of cable rates foe \ Queensland, Victoria, and New Zealand, and has suggested a course which would ensure this without prejudicing the Pacific cable . arrangement or giving the present terms asked by the Eastern Extension Company. r A conference, the subject will be held tomorrow. DESTRUCTIVE CYCLONE. Adelaide, January 28. Four thousand pounds' damage was done at Semaphore by, Friday's cyclone. Roofs were torn off and chimneys blown down. in. all directions. Wooden churches were completely blown away. MR. SEDDON. Melbourne, January 28. Mr. Seddon returns to Sydney on Friday, and sails by the Monowai. A FIERCE SANDSTORM. Sydney, January 28. The town of Wilcannia had a terrifying . simoon. Great clouds of sand, thousand* of feet high, were driven at the rate ,*',; 40 miles an hour. They were seen approaching, and plunged the place into inn penetrable darkness. At the critical mo- ; ment a thunderstorm broke, and rain dissipated the dust. It was very hot weather at the time. Broken Hill had a similar experience. ■ FEDERAL CABINET. Perth, January 28. Sir John Forrest shortly returns to Syd- - hey to take the Defence portfolio, Mr, Drake taking the Post Office Department in the Federal Cabinet. .'" ' FREETEADIFcAMPAIGN. Sydney, January 28. ' Mr. Reid, who has returned from his southern campaign, is confident that freetrade will secure an immense vote at; the ,§§ Federal elections. FISHY BUTTER. -,' Sydney, January 28. - Mr. O'Callaghan, the Government dairy expert, has completed a series-of experiments with fishy butter, and has succeeded . ■ in isolating and cultivating the micro-organ- ■ ..: ism which causes the fishiness. Mr. Cai.- y> laghan produced a fishy condition by jmoik •/" lating sterilised cream with,,the &&**&&&