AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3157, 16 May 1883, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[By Telegraph.] (Pers.s. Wairarapa at the Bluff.) Melbourne, May 9. A terrible catastrophe occurred at the village of Sutton, thirteen miles from Beechworth, by which a man named Coupin, his wife, and four children were burned to death. It appears the man woke up and found the house in flames. He carried out two children and rushed back for his wife and the remaining two, but all perished. The two rescued children, who were both under seven years, made their way to the house of a

neighbor in a frightfully burned condition. Both died soon after from the effects of their injuries. Last Sunday the Art Gallery of the Museum was opened in the afternoon to the public, and nearly 6000 persons visited it. The utmost order and decorum prevailed. A meeting was held on Monday night of the opponents of the movement. It was very disorderly, and although the Chairman declared a motion carried condemning the opening, the majority was a matter of considerable uncertainty. A good deal of personality was indulged in, and the remarks of one or two speakers were generally condemned by the Press. The funeral of Sir John O’Shannassy was a very large one. The Premier and such Ministers as were in town attended.

The Hon Iro Bligh was a passenger for England by the Rosetta, which left yesterday. There was a heavy rainfall on Monday night. Daring the storm a man was washed down a gutter in Elizabeth street and, along with another man who attempted to rescue him was nearly drowned. They only got out with difficulty. Sidney. The Government invited the supporters of the delegates to the Postal Conference to a picnic at Hawkesbury on Saturday. Ho invitations were issued to the Press. Ministers presented a report of their speeches for publication to the “ Herald,” which refused them on the ground that it was not usual to accept secondhand affairs of that nature.

Hot much progress has been made with the Postal Conference so far. - It is likely considerable difficulty will be experienced, as the interests of the colonies are widely divergent.