AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXIII, Issue 7101, 9 February 1898, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(Bt Electeic Telegraph—Copyright. (per tryiTED PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Received February 9, at 1 p.m. Melbourne, February 9. A fresh outbreak of fire has occurred in Gippsland. The town of Foster is completely hemmed in. The Wesley an and Cicholic Churches and a number of residences on the outskirts were burned. The i prospect late last night was so threatening that a special train was sent up to bring away the residents. Many had taken refuse in the gravel pits in the town. Jambuona is threatened with fires on two sides. Several more homesteads have been' destroyed at Leongath* and Kilcunda. Fires at Horsham, in the Grampians, are causing wholesale destruction. Hobapt, February 9. The city is in almost total darkness from the smoke of bu=sh fires. _ The streets are strewn with embers carried from the j adjoining hills l>y a strong wind. Reports of destruction to crops, orchards and stock come from all parts. Newcastle, February 9. Sailed—Severn, forTimaru. Emprez*, for Auckland. Received February 9 at 9.10 a.m. Adelaide, February 9. A year ago Fry had a severe attack of sciatic*, ana since then suffered from pains in the head. He had been off duty for the last few days on account of illness, and was ezamined on Monday 3S to his mental condition. Mre Fry was shot in the wash-house whilst engaged washing. Fry then visited his children's bedrooms and shot them in the side of the face. This done, he returned to the front bedroom and shot himself. He had always displayed great fondness for his wife and children. He had slight monetary troubles lately. Received February 9, at 9.20 a.m. Newcastle, February 9. Arrived—Opawa, from Lytcelton. Sailed—Alcestis, for Wellington. Received February 9, at 9.30 a.m. Sydney, February 9. Messrs Flurscheim and Singer, two well-known Continental advocates of land nationalisation, are about to visit New Zealand. They were welcomed by the Single Tax League here. Mr Flurscheim said" that one of the objects of visiting ! New Zealand was to try and unite New Zealanders in getting land for the people. If he thought taxation was the best means towards the end he tfould fi<?ht with them, but if he saw some quicker system of attaining the end he might think It worth hi 3 while to propose it. He also proposed to establish a bank to allow people to exchange products without the intervention of money. Adelaide, February 9. The overland telegraph line is interrupted between Charlotte and Alice Spring?. The Westralian lines are also working badly owing to thunderstorms. There is very little prospect of getting International cables through early to-day.