AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15398, 5 September 1913, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

STEAMER RAMS ANOTHER

DAMAGE ABOVE WATEE-LINB. By Telegianh— Association— (Kecbived September 4, 9.35 p.m.) Beisbane, September 4. Thb steamer Aldenham, while manoeuvring in the harbour to-day. crashed into the steamer Hobart as she lay moored at the wharf. .Three of the Hobart'e plates were stove in. ' A hole eight feet square was partly filled by the Aldenham's bow. The Hobart was struck well above the water-line.

SPIRITUAL UNEASINESS.

BIRTH OF A' BETTER LIFE.

Mel3otjehb, September 4, 1 The Rev. Frederick Spun, of the Baptist Church, Collins Street, addressing the Union of Churches Congress today, said that he believed the presentspirit of unrest represented the .birth, of a better life. Comparing the Christian atmosphere of, Adelaide University with that of Melbourne,, he, declared that for many years past .the atmosphere of Melbourne University had been rather agnostic. Men had had to fight for their faith. If they were united, the Church could possess its own university, thereby oh* viating such danger. : " ;.: . '-'-..;■ '■:-'. THE SMALLPOX SCARE. CASES MOUNTING UP. •"-" (Received September -5, 1.5 a.m. '-'■ '•■ ; •' Sydney; I September 4.-, A case of suspected smallpox is reported from Bathurst. A fourth case has developed at Lithgow. .'....• Revised figures show that the total num- . ber who have developed smallpox since the outbreak is 646. » ' . There were eight vmore cases :in the metropolitan area to-day, and .also 5 two suspicious country cases. One of'the city cases was that of a woman who has a baby too young' to r travel. Both have, . therefore, been isolated at their home temporarily. . PREMIER, STATE'S POPULATION*;: * : , Sydney, September *&*:& The population vof New South .Wales; on June 30 was 1,809,125, males representing 950,534, and females 858,591. •'■ '■-"'■ NEW HEBRIDES CONTROL, t SrDSEY, September 4. Count Esperanza. president of the Condominium Court of the New Hebrides, has arrived here eft route for a holiday visit* to Europe. He declines to be interviewed: regarding alleged breaches of the law' by French traders.

NEW SOUTH WALES POMTIQS. Sydney, September 1,4,

The death of Mr. Kelly, M.H.A., leaves the parties in the House of Assembly practically evenly divided, but it is too late in. the life of Parliament to affect materially the political situation.

LETTER TELEGRAMS. Melbottesi:, September 4. The Postal Department is introducing letter telegrams, lodged during office hours, wired at night and delivered early next morning by post, at 40 words for a shilling. Another innovation is that telegrams may bo repeated to another address at half the ordinary rates.

BLAZE AT OROOXWELL. (Received September 4, 9.35 p.m ) Sydney, September 4. A fire at Crookwell last night destroyed the premises of Messrs. Furner Brothers, storekeepers, Mr. Denning, a cabinetmaker, Mr. Kershaw, a newsagent, and Mr. Furner, an auctioneer. The damage is put at £14,000. All except Mr. Denning had their premises insured. _ The building belonged to the Methodist Church Trust.

! BRUTAL MURDER. i (Received September 4, 9.35 p.m.) . Sydney, September 4. j A brutal murder is reported from Forest i >. X Bridge, near Jerilderie, a shearer being, r found with his head and face battered to' ■■,-■ pulp. A cheque was still in the r dead. , man's pocket. The deceased "was a young■ -v* man of temperate habits. It is-supposed ' that the motive for the crime was rob- ■ " I: bery. \\ . .v '■■•■■ ' ' ■'••'"■■