AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11824, 29 November 1901, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

By Telegraph —Press Association.—Copyright CONFERENCE OF RUGBY UNIONS. Sydney, November 28. The New South Wales Rugby Union lias invited the New Zealand and Queensland Unions to attend a conference in Sydney, in February, during the fourth test match. THREATENED STRIKE AVERTED. Sydney, November 28. The threatened strike of tramway employees has been averted by the union accepting the Government proposal for the eight hours' system to come into operation in July next. PLAGUE-INFECTED RATS. Sydney, November kd. The vigorous resumption of trapping and other forms of destruction has resulted is the discovery of a largo number of plague-in-fected rats about the harbour foreshore and various parts of the city. The health authorities consider the outlook very serious. The Mayor stated that it appears almost impossible to aver*- another outbreak oi plague. Arrangements have been made to resume the systematic fumigatior of tbi sewers, and the public are urged to assist in the destruction of rats. Melbocens, November 28. Owing to the discovery of plagued rata in Sydney, trapping at the wharves has been resumed. It is reported that they are dying in large numbers. AXEMEN'S CARNIVAL. Hobaut, November 28. At the axemen's carnival the world'* champion chop blocks was won by Blanc, of Victoria. VICTORIAN PARLIAMENT. Melbourne, November 28. In the State Assembly Mr. Irvine moved a ' want-of-coufidence motion. His chief indictment was that the Government had not ; carried out its Parliamentary reform promises. The debate was adjourned. KILLED BY A FALL OF TIMBER. (Received November 28, 10.15 p.m.) Sydney, November 28. A man named McPherson was. killed, and three others injured, by the collapse of a timber stack at Pyrmonfc.