AUSTRALIAN.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1715, 11 January 1905, Page 21

AUSTRALIAN.

SYDNEY, January 4. The Japanese Consul is advised that the wife of the Crown Prince of Japan gave birth to a son on the day Port Arthur surrendered. SYDNEY, January 5. Two hundred telegraph operators at the head office threaten to revolt against what chey claim to be an “inhuman regulation,” compelling them to wear coats in scorching weather. The official reason for enforcing the regulation is that it is undesirable for visitors to the operating room to see the operators without coats, and with their sleeves tucked up. SYDNEY, January 5. The underwriters have been advised with reference to the fire on the Buteshire—which arrived at Capetown on fire, en route from New York to Melbourne—that the cargo in No. 3 hold was badly damaged, and is being discharged at Capetown. The Board of Directors of the Sydney Hospital has refused to appoint a resident lady doctor on the grounds that there is insufficient accommodation at the hospital, and that a woman would be out of place. SYDNEY, January 6. The naval authorities are advised that the third-class cruiser Prometheus (2135 tons, 20 knots) is to replace the Pylades on the Australasian squadron. The Prometheus is expected to reach Sydney about the end of March. A despatch from the Colonial Secretary of the Straits Settlements states that there is no employment for white men there and no prospects for them. MELBOURNE, January 5. The Federal Postmaster-General (the Hon Sydney Smith) states that the facilities offered by tne Vancouver route for Australian mails have received very careful attention. If the Government had to fall back on the poundage system —a contingency which he hoped would not occur —the Vancouver service would be used when the dates of sailing suited. BRISBANE, January 6. A dwelling-house at Paddington was destroyed by fire this morning. An old woman named Evans and two grandchildren named Newbie perished in the flames. January 6. A Glasgow syndicate has taken over from a Northern Territory syndicate 4,000,000 acres on the Roper river. It is intended to principally utilise the land in cattle-raising.