AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12212, 6 March 1903, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

';.' m ' 8 : By Telegraph.—Press Association.— INTER-STATE CRICKET. Melbourne, March 5. Giffkn* played a fine innings, and showed much of his old form, but gave a couple of chances. Claxton (29) and Travers (41) were the only others to make a stand. Saunders took eight wickets for 106, and did the hat trick. DEATH OF A MINISTER. Brisbane, March 5. Mr. O'Connell, the Minister for Lands, hat died suddenly of lung complications. NO FEDERAL LOAN. Melbourne, March 5. The Federal Government does not intend to submit any Loan Bill during the forthcoming session. THE CABLE AGREEMENT. Melbourne, March 5. Sir Edmund Barton says that the proposed cable agreement covers the objection raised in the Chamber of Commerce. A clause provides that the contracting company cannot? sell its cables between Australia and England without giving the two Governments the option of purchase. VICTORIAN RAILWAY COMMISSIONERS. Melbourne, March 5. It L understood that Mr.' Hudson, the general manager of the Tasmanian railways,, and formerly in the sen-ice of the New Zealand Railway Department, has been offered one of the vacant railway Commissionerships. AN INTERESTING DISCOVERY. Sydney, March 6. An interesting ethnological discovery has been made at Bateman's Bay, the site of » prehistoric camp, which yielded a large collection of polished stone axes and other warlike stone implements. A fine series of rock drawings were also discovered,, and are thought to be connected with the sacred cere-' monies of the ancient blacks. EARTHQUAKE SHOCK. Adelaide, March 5.. ! An earthquake at Nairne shook the houses and opened the doors. . r THE TYPHOID EPIDEMIC. (Received March 6, 12.26 a.m.) Sydney, March 5. The typhoid epidemic a* Coonamble iff abating. A BURGLAR SURPRISED. (Received March 6. 12.25 a.m.) Sydney, March 5. A constable guarding the Premier's house surprised a burglar attempting an entry. Shots were exchanged without either being harmed, and the man escaped. THE WEATHER IN NEW SOUTH WALES. (Received March 6, 1.11 a.m.) Sydney, March 5. A spell of intense heat has been succeeded by good falls of rain over the southern half of the State, which promise to extend.