NEWS BY CABLE.

Opunake Times, Volume II, Issue 62, 5 February 1895, Page 2

NEWS BY CABLE.

HOME isrtoilEia.

SHIPPING DISASTER.

London, January 80. The Elbe was bound from Bremen to New York. She was struck amidships with terrific force at 6 a.m. on Wednesday, and sank almost immediately. The passengers, who were chiefly Germans, numbered 240, and the crew 150. Twenty survivors, including the pilot, reached Lowestoft in a fishing smack. The fearful catastrophe has caused great consternation in Germany. London, January 31. Three hundred and eighty persons were drowned by the loss of the Elbe* The collision took place 50 miles from Lowestoft. A heavy sea was running, and the morning was thick. The look-out saw the unknown steamer approach, and a rocket was sent np to waru her.' She took no notice, but kept on her course, and the collision followed with an awful crash. An enormous hole was torn in the doomed ship abaft the engines. The engineroom filled in an instant, and the fires were put out. The passengers rushed on deck undressed, women shrieking wildly and clinging to the davits. The Officers were unable to control the panic-stricken people, but manageclto launch two boats. It was only with difficulty that even this could be done, as the ropes were frozen and would not work. The men were terror-stricken, and, without regard to any sort of discipline, stole one another's life-belts and fought for places in the boats. The Elbe sank in twenty minutes. The captain remained on the bridge issuing orders to the last. One boat which was got into the water swamped ! and all the occupants were drowned except one, a lady passenger, who was dragged into another boat. The officers found it impossible to avert a panic. The women and children were ordered to leave their protectors and go to the starboard side of the vessel, but before they were able to reach tho boats the Elbe sank stern fisrt. One boat with twenty occupants was picked up and carried io Lowestoft. Those in this boat had a terrible experience,. and for five hours were almost frozen owing to the severe weather. No first class passengers were saved, and only five second, the remainder being officers and crew. It is feared that the second boat has been swamped, and all on board drowned. The captain and chief officer were drowned. It is reported that the collision was caused by the steamer Craithie, of Aberdeen, which was not afterwards seen by those on board the Elbe, and rendered no assistance whatever. She has since returned to Eotterdam with her stem badly injured. Perth, February 1. A remarkably rich find, about a mile from the Wealth of Nation's Mine Reef, was struck by a party of newchums. The stone is wonderfully rich, and the reef, which is several feet wide, is studded with coarse gold. Two blocks have been pegged out, and £IOOO have been refused for a sixth iuteresU A large number are going to the field to peg out claims. Hobart, February 1. At the annual meeting of th« Federal Council, Tasmania, Queensland, Western Australia, and Victoria were represented. The Premier of Tasmania presided. In his opening address, the latter said the Council se far was the only living embodiment of federation ; yet he believed the union of the colonies would ultimately be reached through it. Notices of motion were tabled in favour of the Commonwealth Bill being considered by the various Parliamcments at the earliest possible date ; also, that a second convention be held to deal with the amendments made in the Bill. The adviseableness of securing federal action in - regard to more economical finance, especially iu floating loans and the appointment of a member to the Privy Council, is experienced in Australian affairs.

A suggestion by the Hon. Henry Dobson, of Tasmania, that Sir E. 0. N. Braddon should lay the motion before the Premiers of the Conference, and that the Premiers’ delegates confer in order to secure united action, led to . unexpected developments. Some of the Tasmanian, Western Australian, and Queensland delegrates objected strongly to the suggestion, and expressed the opinion that the Premiers’ Conference was convened with a view of overshadowing the Council and usurping its functions. Great jealousy was shown. Sir E. C. N. Braddon declined to accept the Hon. H. Dobson’s suggestion, and opposed bringing the proceedings of the Council in any sort of contact with the Premiers’ Conference.