AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12238, 6 April 1903, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

By Telegraph.— Association.—Copyright. THE STEAMER SHAMROCK. Sydney, April 4. Heavy weather prevails along the coast and is adversely affecting the position oi the Ger-man-Australian Company's steamer Shamrock, which is ashore at Catherine Hill Bay.. If it continues the chances of refloating the vessel are poor. GROUNDING OF A STEAMER. Sydney, April 4. Advices have been received here that the steamer Damascus, bound from Sydney to London, grounded between Durban and Capetown, bub was refloated after a portion of her cargo had been jettisoned. The hull was seriously damaged. THE DROUGHT FUND. Sydney, April 4. A missionary from Fiji brought £17 as contributions from'his native congregation to the New South Wales drought fund. NAVAL DEFENCE.' Sydney, April 4. The proposals of the Admiral for the establishment of a naval defence force havebeen submitted to the Federal Government. They include the establishment of a royal naval reserve and the manning of a thirdclass cruiser by Australian officers and men. The proposed strength of the reserve will be 25 officers and 700 men, distributed over the whole of the States, while three vessels will be used as drill ships, one manned by Australians and New Zealanders, enrolled in proportion to the population of the various States. WOMEN AS LAWYERS. Melbourne, April 4. ' Parliament has passed a Bill to enabli women to practise the legal profession. THE RUSSIAN AGRICULTURAL EXPERT. Brisbane, April 4. M. Krukoff, the Russian agricultural expert, makes strong charges of want of cleanliness in some butter and other factories he visited in the Southern States. He said Australian butter was inclined to be good naturally, but the people were inclined to be lazy and to neglect much work. He declares mat some jam factories were so duty that they would be closed on the Continent,' and he would not eat the jam. THE TAMWORTH ELECTION. (Received April 5, 6 p.m.) Sydney, April 5. The Tamworth election took place yesterday, and resulted in Mr. Garland, the Opposition and reform candidate, beating the Government nominee by a handsome majority. The Labour candidate was badly beaten, and only came third. The Government are much disappointed and annoyed at the result. An unusual interest was displayed in the contest.

TELEGRAPHIC DELAY. (Received April 5, 5 p.m.) Sydney, April 5. The delay in the receipt of Saturday's press messages was due to faulty working of the Australian land lines, caused by bad weather. SOUTH AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE. (Received April 6, 1.4 a.m.) Melbourne, April 5. Sir J. Forrest states that the Military Bill will contain a provision calling up the population in the event of invasion or other emergency. A compulsory system of military sendee is not proposed, nor will the militia be permitted to operate outside the Commonwealth; but permanent soldiers must be prepared to go where sent. MYSTERIOUS DISEASE AMONG PIGS. Sydney, April 5. A veterinary surgeon of the New South Wales Agricultural Department has discovered a mysterious disease affecting pigs, which is highly infectious and fatal. EMIGRATION TO SOUTH AFRICA. Melbourne, April 5. Large numbers of people, mostly of,the artisan class, continue to leave for South Africa by every steamer. THE TASMANIAN MINISTRY. Hobakt, April 4. The Government resigns after, the Easter holidays. In the new Assembly there is not a single member, excepting the Speaker, who has held a Ministerial portfolio. - The Tasinanian Ministry consists of only four members N. E. Lewis, Premier ; Mr. B. S. Bird, Treasurer and Minister for Railways; Mr. E. Mulcahy, Minister fot Mines "and Works; and, Mfe Q A £. CoUine a , Chief Secretary, _ '"•"•"■ —'"'■-''