NEWS BY CABLE.

Southland Times, Issue 14524, 27 December 1899, Page 3

NEWS BY CABLE.

■- : — British and Foreign A DESERTED CAPITAL IN SOUDAN. — INTERESTING CEREMONY IN ROME. ALLEGED SOURCE OF PLAGUE IN NOUMEA. DREADFUL FIRES IN VICTORIA. BEECH WORTH SAVED BY A CHANGE OF WIND. PASTURE, FENCING, STOCK AND MANY HOMESTEADS DESTROYED. LIVES LOST. FLAMES FASTER THAN A HORSE. FATAL RAILWAY CROSSING ACCIDENT, BOAT ACCIDENTS: EIGHT DROWNED. (United Press Association. —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright). _ LONDON, Dec. 25. Colonel Mahon has occupied the capital of Kordofan. He found the place a mere ruin and deserted. His Holiness the Pope inaugurated a holy year services. The ceremony, which included the opening of the holy door in St. Peters, extended over hours and 3000 persons were invited to be present. Australian SYDNEY, Dec. 26. -The Government has cabled to the British Consul in Noumea for particulars of the outbreak of the plague. The idea of its having been introduced in jute goods is scouted; frequent direct communication between New Caledonia, Tonquin and Madagascar being probably the true source. MELBOURNE. Dec. 26. Bush fires are raging in the Beechworth district. . The town of Beechworth was more than once in danger and was only saved by the efforts of the inhabitants. The fire, crept up towards the hospital but just when the position was critical a fortunate change of wind occurred. The scene at night was appalling, the flames lighting the surrounding country for miles. In outlying parts thousands of acres of grass and miles of fencing were destroyed and two homesteads were swept away, the occupants just escaping with their lives. Right in front of the line of fire stock, maddened with fear, rushed onward, but a great many were overtaken and burnt. An old couple, living in a hut, were found burned to cinders. A boy named Elliott was sent to a paddock to bring in cattle and his charred remains were found after the fire had passed. Fires ate raging in. the Sale and Euroa districts; in the latter 30 homesteads have been destroyed. The flames travelled 15 to 20 miles an hour. The State school was burned, while a man and his family escaped death by standing in a dam up to their necks.

A railway engine collided with a buggy at Portland and Mrs Taylor and four children were so terribly injured that four have died.

Latest. SYDNEY, Dec. 26. Received 27th, 0.25 a.m. The holiday was marred by two serious boating accidents. A rowing boat, with a picnic party, swamped in the harbour and four girls named Lee, Harding, and Ward (2) were drowned. One girl and two men. were rescued. A sailing boat capsized with 24 aboard, of whom one man and three women, names unknown, were drowned. Received 27th, 0.30 R.m. At the Summer meeting the December Stakes was won by Hautboy, Commander 2, Bongara 3. Time —1 min. 5f secs. Cup—Blue Metal 1, Vocalist 2, Carberra 3. Betting—6 to 1 Parthian and Vocalist, 8 to 1 Carberra. Won easily. Time—3 min. 8| secs. MELBOURNE, Dec, 26. Received 27th, 0.30 a.m. The race for the Hopetoun Cup was won by Peeress, Carbineer 2, Fleet Admiral 3. Won by a short head. Time—l min, 59J secs. Received 27th, 1.26 a.m. New South Wales has lost fiv« wickets for 469—Mackenzie 65, Iredale (not out) 67, Hopkins (not out) 44. Rain stopped the play.