INTERCOLONIAL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10998, 30 December 1897, Page 2

INTERCOLONIAL

Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright.

FOUR LIVES LOST,

Melbouese, December 29.

(Received December 29, at 10.20 a.m.) The worst fears are realised legarding ths sewer fatality. Late in the afternoon a party of firemen succeeded in finding the body of Gibson lying face downwards in a shaft, and it was brought to the surface. Further along the -shaft the bodies of Scephens and Porter were found so tightly locked together that it was impossible to separate them in order to bring them out. It is also certain that Inspector Mossop is a victim of foul air. Tha influx of water stopped the search, but ifc will be resumed to-day with tbe. assistance of the electric' light. Mossop was only married five months. All the others are married, with families.

(Received December 29, at 10.3-5 p.m.)

Attempts to recover the bodies proved futile. The chief of the Fire Brigade, who went down, was struck by a gust of poisonous air and fell unconscious as if shot. He recovered on removal to ths surface. If. is now proposed to flood the tunnel, and send a diver down for the bodies."

FATAL ACCIDENT. Sydney,' December 29,

(Received December 29, at 10.S0 a m.)

A sensational accident.tookplico at Mori's deck. While the steamer JJ-toomba v?as being docked fche tackle collapsed and she slipped from the cradle, A large number of deck hands were thrown iuto the water, and two named Nelson and Gallagher drowned. Two others, Morley and Remingbougb, were injured, and the others rescued by swimming to the shore. By force of the plunge the steamer backed right across the bay and ..narrowly escaped running, into several ferry steamers moored on the opposite side.

(Received December 29, at 10 p.m.)

Fully 30 men were in grave peril by the Mort's dock accident. Many ducked under the vessel, and reached the surface in the last stapes of exhaustion:

CAPTAIN BUSSELL INTERVIEWED, (Received December 29. at 11 p.m.)

Captain Russel', in the course of an interview, expressed his entire belief in a policy of FreßCrade. The protective duties of New Zealand hamper trade, and were very prejudicial to the best;interests of the colony. A policy of 1 _-efcr-ds given effect fco from time to time as circumstances permitted would be the best policy for New Zealand. He believed it would lend to very larg;i trade between New South Wales and Naw Z.aland.

A HEAT WAV._.

The heat over all Rivsrina is terrific. In Sydney ifc is comparatively cool, while Adelaide reports the thermometer afc 110 in tha shade, and several Victorian stations 115.

LADY DOCTORS

The Sydney Hospital authorities, having a number of vacancies on the" staff; have decided against lady doctors obtaining positions

PERSONAL.

Buisbase, December 29

Sir Henry Norman has .resigned the Agencj-general for Queensland. It is understood the Hon. H. Toz.r will receive the pofition. In connection with the rumour that he ha* been oft.red the Gjvernprship of the Gold Coast Colony; Sir William MacGregor states that he has Beard nothing of the matter. ,

THE CABLE TO NOUMEA,

Thubsday Island, Dscember 29. Tbe Sherard Osborne has arrived, and proceeds to repair the Noumea cable.