AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12242, 11 April 1903, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

By Telegraph.—Press Association.— THE EARTHQUAKE IN VICTORIA.; Melbotjknb, April 9. The seismic record of the Warrnambool earthquake shows that the disturbance was confined to a very small area. The town is near an extinct volcano. Several NewZealand residents state that they never felt anything so severe. Their wonder is that more damage was not done. Something like a tidal wave followed the shock, and a huge wave swept over the bar at the mouth of the river. There was another slight shock last evening. The public mind is in a state of high tension. THE VANCOUVER. MATT, SERVICE. Sydney, April 9. The result, of the negotiations in the matter of the Vancouver sen-ice will be known in a few days. Sir Edmund Barton, who states that the present service is conducted at a- loss, holds the view that ultimately there should be a strong and fast service in which the Imperial Government and also New Zealand should be participants, but that the time is not yet ripe for such a service. CYCLING RACES. Adelaide, April 9. The Walker Stakes, over one mile and a-half, resulted as follows: Walker, 1;] Morgan, 2; Forbes, 3. Time, 3m. 16 3-55. : International Mile Championship: Taylor, 1; Walker, 2: Chalmers, 5. Time, 2m.2 3-ss. Adelaide Wheel Race, over two miles: Taylor, 1; Anger, 2 ; Chalmers, 3. Time, 4m. 9s. (Received April 10, 10.45 p.m.) Adeljjdßj April 10. Taylor broke the Australian quarter and half-milec records. The new tames are 20 4-ss. and 43 3-ss. respectively. He was paced by a motor tandem. THE QUEENSLAND MINISTRY. Brisbane, April 9. - Mr. Philp has been sworn in as Home Secretary in place of Mr. Foxton, who has resigned that portfolio and been sworn ijf as Minister for Lands. SYDNEY AGRICULTURAL SHOW. " Sydney, April 9. The agricultural show, which opened to« day, despite the adverse conditions of the State, is the best on record. The championship prize of Australia for heavy draught stallions fell to the New Zealandbred Brilliant Roy. RICH GOLD FIND. Perth, April 9. A rich patch of gold has been discovered in the Queen Margaret South property. It amounts to IOOOoz. . One piece alon» weighed 16oz. A RUSSIAN CRUISER. Adelaide, April 9. The Russian cruiser Djithit arrived here to-day from Capetown, en route for Port Arthur. FEVER-STRICKEN CREW. Adelaide, April 9. ■ News has been received that during the voyage of the Margaret Galbraith from Beira to Barbados fever broke out while on the South African coast, Captain Dolbell and the first mate Allan both died. When the vessel reached Capetown several of the crew were stricken, and the rest exhausted with overwork. RETRENCHMENT IN NEW SOUTH WALES. (Received April 30, 10.45 p.m.) April 10. No member of the Ministry has yet said anything about Mr. Waddel's retrenchment proposals. The Premier declines 'to express an opinion one way or another. Mr. Eden George and Mr. Broughton, members for the King Division, have withdrawn their support from the Ministry. PERILOUS EXPERIENCE OF A BARQUE. Pep.th 2 April 9. The Norwegian, barque Sesa has arrived from Natal after a perilous experience. During a gale on the night of March 5 she lost her mainmast, foretopmast, and mizzentop. She was in great danger of foundering till the gale moderated.; GOOD FRIDAY. (Received April 18, 10.45 p.m.) Sydney, April 10. Fine weather prevailed for the holiday. A 'REMARKABLE CRUSHING. (Received April 9, 9.50 p.m.) x Sydney, April 9. A remarkable crushing is reported from Adelong. A party of miners crushed 13 tons of stone, which yielded 4900z of gold. THE WYALONG RIOT. Sidney, April 9. Twenty-three persons were fined 5s and costs for participating an a recent riot at Wyalong. : PLAGUE. (Received April 11, 1.5 a.m.) Brisbane, April 10. • A woman has been attacked by the plague,LAWSON'S BANKRUPTCY, (Received April 11, 1.5 a.m.) ' Sydney* April 10. Lawson's examination has been further postponed. No accounts have been filed. THE TREATMENT OF INEBRIETY. Melbourne, April 9. The report of the Government Committee to inquire into certain alleged cures for drunkenness states that it, is unable to affirm that any of them is a specific for inebriety which will result in a certain cure, but that it is able to say that there are methods of treatment, whether by known or unfevealed medicines, combined with physical and moral conditions, which do result in the restoration of a large number of inebriates. 1 The committee made the v following recommendations : —(1) That provision be made for the registration under Government supervision of all institutions for the treatment of inebriety; (2) that a special place of confinement and treatment be provided for criminal inebriates whosw offences may be directly traced to inebriety; and (3) where the ground for detention is habitual drunkenness itself, that a Government institution under a board of control be established in some locality suitable for isolation and classification, and giving an opportunity of employment to which inebriates could be sent voluntarily or compulsorily, according to the methods • of treatment which may be adopted.