AUSTRALIAN NEWS,

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14690, 26 May 1911, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN NEWS,

By Telegraph.—Pre*» Association.—Copyrlgfifc FIEE IN MELBOURNE. (Received May 25, 9.30 p.m.) ■ Melbourne, May 25.* A fire started on the top floor of Wat« son's Chambers in Flinders Lane to-day, and spread, gutting the third, fourth, and fifth floors, on which are the offices of different firms. The damage is estimated at £20,000. There was considerable anxiety for a time, as the building was situated in the midst of a densely-packed area.

(Received May 26, 1 a.m.) Melbourne, May 25.

The firemen were in great danger owing to falling roofs and ceilings. The insurances include £2000 in the National of New Zealand. '

WRECK OF A BARQUE. (Received May 26, 1 a.m.) Perth, May 25. The barque Mandalay, bound from South Africa to Albany, is a total wreck nine miles from Brooks Inlet, near Albany. Th« crew aje safe. ...'■■

GOLD STORAGE CORNER. (Received May 36, 1.5 a.m.)' Sydney, May 25. It is reported that independent rabbit packers have succeeded in breaking the corner in cold storage.

SUNDAY CONCERTS. (Received May 25, 9.15 p.m.) Sydney, May 25.,

The Acting-Chief Secretary has issued regulations directing that in future Sunday concerts must be of a strictly religioui nature, with no collection till the end o/ the performance.

STRIKERS' PLACES FILLED. (Received May 25, 10 p.m.) Brisbane, May 25. The gas stokers who are on strike intend to see the Premier to-morrow. . Theii places have been filled chiefly by immigrants. A full supply of gas is now available. ■.-,.;, VICTORIAN WINE PRODUCTION, Melbourne, May 25.; Owing to the ravages of phylloxera, the production of wine in Victoria has fallen from 2,822,263 gallons in 1907 to 991,941 gallons last year. ; _____ STOLEN OPIUM.

Sydney, May 25.

The full Court, in deciding ;an ..appeal} declared that opium, although prohibited property, could; be the subject of. a larceny. :'.'■'. .'!;'• •';.',':'

MILLIONS OF GOSSAMER THREADS

Melbourne, May 25.

An extraordinary phenomenon is reported from Tallangatta, where th« atmosphere was full of millions of beautiful gossamer threads, so numerous as to cause inconvenience. Their presence io attributed to balloon spiders, which 6pin a light web by means of which they are carried through the air in light winds.

EFFICIENCY IN DEFENCE.

Melbourne, May 25.

Mr. Deakin, in an Empire speech, de« dared that there were two alternatives to adopt, one the creation of. a. worldwide tribunal to enforce its decrees among all peoples, and if that were not possible they must depend upon themselves at the cost of war to prevent the Empire tumbling to ruins. Complete efficiency in defence was necessary for the Empire's existence.