AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13613, 5 December 1907, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

By Telefirrajih.— Association.— EXPLOSIONS ABOARD SHIPS. (Received December 5, 12.39 a.m.) ; Sydney, December 4. An. explosion. of methylated spirits in th« ; pantry of the flagship Powerful caused the death of Private Culky, of the Marine Infantry. , . ~ While six men were in the stokehold of ' the coasting steamer Kempsey, lying at the wharf, a naked light caused an explosion of benzine. The six men were injured, two' .*: of them seriously. ' '' • FEDERAL TARIFF.' • M'elqovbnk, December 4. The Federal House of Representative* earned • heavy redactions iin the -, duties on .- glassware, the Government being thrice defeated. v (Received December 5, 1 a.m.) MfcLBOimNK, December 4. The House ,of Representatives placed sheep dips, disinfectants, and insecticide oil the free list, despite the opposition of the Government. Jj VICTORIAN WHEAT YIELD. MicrJßO.un\!i ; > December 4. The Government statistician estimates " the wheat yield at 12,840,000 bushels, of . which about' eight millions will be absorbed . locally. / FIGHT BETWEEN ABORIGINALS. ' ■ Pkbth, December 4. In an inter-tribal fight at Leonora an ;.'"' aboriginal was killed and two seriously injured. " '*'' '■ ';^. ! "■';'. ■''':'; FEWER HOTELS. 'M'el]«)\;knk, December 4. The Licenses Reduction Board has ; or« dered 24 hotels to be closed in the metropolitan area. INCREASING BIRTHRATE. Sydney, December 4. . The birthrate for the whole of Sydney is ■now the'.highest for ten years past. '

COAL MINERS' GRIEVANCES. Sydney, December 4. The special tribunal appointed to deal j with the Newcastle coal dispute has been officially constituted, and is expected to sit on. Monday.. . ,