Australian News.

Pahiatua Star and Eketahuna Advertiser, Volume 2, Issue 172, 14 February 1888, Page 2

Australian News.

Sydney, February 11. For somo months past a doctor, a butcher, and Mr F.llis have been conducting experiments in the Daring district in inoculating rabbits with a disease which is found among them in pnrts ol Victoria and Tasmania. Eight hundred rabbits were confined in an inclosure and inoculated with the disease with success, bunny wasting away in seventeen days. To test the effect on other animals a number inoculated at the same time exhibited no signs of the disease, thus proving that it was peculiar to the rabbit. It is claimed that the disease can bo easily and safely spread. With the view of arriving at the best method of the several inoculating schemes the Government have decided to appoint a commission composed ofexperts chosen from all the colonies, to whom all such schemes will be referred. The AgentGeneral lias been directed to obtain a quantity of microbes, and the directions for their use, from M. Pasteur. It is estimated that the loss caused by the recent bush iiros in theGundagai district will bo over i 1150,000. The sculling race for £2<X) a side and the championship of the world between Kemp and Clifford took place this afternoon on the Parramatta river. A strong breeze was blowing against the men. There was a large attendance of the public. Kemp was the favorite, 7 to 4 being laid on him. Kemp was the first to grip tho water, and before many lengths had beep rowed assumed tho lead, which he hold to the finish, winning easily bv six lengths. Time, 2Hmin 174s«x\ During the race one of the excursion steamers collided with and sank a steaui launch. The launch had 50 |>eoplo on board, all of whom were precipitated into tho water, but were rescued. Kemp lias accepted ({.Milan's challenge to row for the championship and £SOO a side.

It has been ascertained that Peel, the engineer of the steam launch which was capsized during the sculling race, has been drowned. Ho is reported to have sunk immediately the accident occurred. Another man who is believed to have been aboard is mis-

smg. The proposed sculling race IwUween Ilaiilau and Nelson will probably full through owing to a dispute having arisen ns to the length of the course. A man who was attempting to force an entrance into a house at Carowa

was shot dead by a son of the oceu paws of the bon e. The son became alarmed at bn mother’s screams and tired point-blank at the burglar. Nlm.imu r.nk. February 11. The Hoard of Health declines to revoke the proclamation constituting Port Darwin an infected [x.rt. A thin! plaintiff has obtained £2siki damages for injuries sustained in the Windsor railway accident. Nine New /euland horses are in training. Trenton is not working well, but Spade Guinea and Enfilade are in excellent trim.

The negotiations which have been proceeding between the Victoria Government and the Government of Fiji for the establishment of a reciprocity treaty hove been suspended owing to the Imperial Act on the subject of treaties not applying to the latter colony.

Peurshell has arrived from Auckland in splendid condition, and on her uppearance on the training track created a favorable impression.

Adklaidk, February 11. Thu South Australian Register estimates the wheat yield at !*J bushels per aero, and 410,000 tons will be available for ox]>ort, which is double that of the last two yours. The Advertiser computes the yield at 10 bushels.