NEWS BY CABLE.

Opunake Times, Volume III, Issue 126, 17 September 1895, Page 2

NEWS BY CABLE.

EXPORT OF LIVE STOCK. London, September 14. The cattle-laden steamer Southern Cross, from Sydney, has arrived at Gravesend. She lost altogether 52 bullocks (out of 550), 82 shesp (out of 488), and one out of tbe 29 horses. The rest arrived in good condition. The supply of fodder was just sufficient for the voyage. The mortality was due to the exposure and the heavy weather round Cape Horn, also to overcrowding. Only three of the bullocks on the upper deck died. Later. About seventy per cent of tbe cattle by the Southern Cross arrived in good condition. The remainder are poor, and some judges regard the shipment as too old. Experts believe that the mortality was largely due to rough handling in Sydney, and advise that greater care be exercised in shipping the beasts. Eight of Bergyl and Brabbin's cattle by the Southern Cross, one of Dogan's and three of Loader's, died. The mortality was greatest amongst the Durhams, but the Herefords did fairly well, and the Devons admirably. The horses fared well, and will be turned out to grass at Thames Haven. The Times, discussing the shipping of live cattle, considers the experimental stage has been satisfactorily passed, aud that the trade has formally begun. DISASTROUS DROUGHT. Sydney, September 13. The Government astronomer, Mr H. C. Russell, is of opinion that the colony has entered on a protracted and disastrous period of drought, caused by the continued prevalent equatorial winds driving away rain. Other experts concur that it is not improbable that it is the commencement of a cycle of dry years. The prices of meat and produce are rapidly advancing in the country districts. At Parramatta the price of beef has been raised Id per lb, and mutton jfd per lb. Milk has advanced Id per quart, and feed is proportionately dear. Adelaide, September 14. The crops in the northern districts are suffering severely from drought, and will, it is feared, be ruiued unless rain falls soon. Sydnea, September 14. A great rise has taken place in the price of cattle in the Bathurst District owing to the drought. Cattle which a few days ago would not have raalised £3 per head to-day sold at £B. THE ARMENIAN QUESTION. London, September 14. The special reporter in Armenia for the Daily News telegraphs to that journal particulars of fresh outrages. Five villages were attacked, and the usual hideous outrages followed. A RICH GOLD FIND. Melbourne, September 14. Two prospectors working an abandoned shafc near Ararat, struck an enormously rich reef, varying from 20 to 30 inches. The first dish gave an ounce, and subsequently returns as high as a pound of gold to the dish. Five tons of stone were bagged so rich that armed men were engaged to watch it. Hundreds have rushed to the place, and are pegging out claims in alldirections.

London, September 14. Lady Frances Gunning has been convicted on a charge of having forged her father's name to bills of exchange, and sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment with hard labor. The butter market is very quiet, with prices unchanged. The Birmingham Chamber of Commerce protests against New Zealand assessing income tax profits on orders taken by English commercial travellers. San Francisco, September 14. Cholera still prevalent at Honolulu. 31 native deaths have occurred since August 18. Sydney, September 14. An atmospheric depression in the Australian Bight, which gave hope of rain, has passed away towards Tasmania. A heavy thunderstorm passed over New England district, and there was a rainfall from a few points to eightyfive points. A man named Whiteley shot his wife near Dubbo and then attempted suicide by cutting his throat. The reason is not assigned. Melbourne, September 14. An old couple named Lane were burnt to death in a cottage at Elsternwick. James Mirams, an ex-Member of the Assembly, has begun an action against the Argus, claiming £IO,OOO damages for libel in connection with his caudidature for the South Yaira election. [Mirams was sentenced to a term of imprisonment upon a building society prosecution.]