AUSTRALIAN NEWS

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1403, 19 January 1899, Page 33

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

The English Rugby team which will visit New South Wales, Queensland and New Zealand will consist chiefly of university players. A lady and her daughter had an unpleasant experience while bathing in the) surf at Warrnambool (Vic), their clothes being stolen while in the water. A woman was arrested and sentenced to seven days' imprisonment for the theft. Tho committee of the band contest at Launceston intends to use a portion of the profits as a nucleus for a fund for tho conduct of future contests and to induce New Zealand and other colonies to be represented* Dr Augustus Mueller died at hi 3 residence, Yackandandah, Vic, aged /i. He was noted for his research into snakebite and it 3 antidotes.

The Mayor of Glenelg (S.A.) has written to the Consular Agent for the United States, advising him of the enthusiastic attachment expressed for the American flag and country at the Glenelg commemoration proceedings on December 28th. Mr Murphy, in reply, states that he will convey the senti ments to President McKinley. Mi D. O'Connor, on his return to Brisbane from a visit to England, brought some edible frogs (Rana esculentia) for a Queensland scientist. The experiment was only partially successful, most of them having perished on the voyage. The frogs were carried in a galvanised iron box, having a layer of moss at the bottom; this was kept moist. The frogs were obtained from Paris through Mr Green, of Covent Garden Market, a dealer in birds, fish, frogs, lizards, snakes and other reptiles. A considerable business is done in edible frogs with the West End clubs and high-class London restaurants, so it seems that the Parisians' taste for this delicacy has extended to England. Frogs for the London market are usually imported from Italy, the French frogs being dearer.

The leading streets of Port Adelaide have been lit with electricity, as a commencement of the installation of that light, which will soon be completed. Port Adelaide is the first municipality in South Australia to adopt the electric light. The Rev William Morley, D.D., who presided with rare tact and courtesy over the Wesleyan Methodist General Conference in Adelaide in 1894, has received the honorary degree of Doctor ha Divinity from the Mary Henry University of Virginia, U.S.A.

Matters in connection with the West Australian International Mining and Industrial Exhibition, which opens at Coolgardie on Tuesday, March 21, are assuming large proportions. From a mere lecal mining exhibition, originated two years ago by the Mining Managers' Institute, it has gradually grown into a world's fair. In order to cope with its increased development, the commissioners have launched out into buildings which would not disgrace the older cities of Australasia. Both the Government of West Australia and the City Council of Coolgardie have most cordially and liberally supported the exhibition. The W.A. Commissioners have been gazetted, and some of the colonies and countries to be represented have also appointed Royal Commissioners to represent them. From news received by the last English mail, more favourable and encouraging reports have come to hand. Not only Great Britain, but also the Continent of Europe have seen the necessity of sending exhibits to Coolgardie, and for bidding for a share in the largely increasing trade of the goldfields. A number of persons from Western Australia who had been thrown out of work in that colony have lately sought employment under the Government of South Australia.