AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 219, 25 September 1901, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY.

PSB PRESS ASSOCIATION.* Sydney, Septtmb r 24. The captain and crew of the barque Union have returned to Sydney. The vessel, alter completing a voyage from Westport, bad her bottom crushed in on a coral reef in the Marshall group. During the voyage of the Auriga from Wesfcpor', one of the crew named Bull fell from aloft and was kil'ed. He was buried at sea. The Daily Telegraph, referring to the prohibition of grapes by New Zealand, says now that it is proved that phylloxera is not communicable by fruit, and that the disease iunotpravalent here, the only reason for exclusion is a fiscal one. If the prohibition were lifted, grapes could be sold in New Zealand at from fourpence to sixpence per pound, whrn otherwise they would ba three shillings, Melbourne, September 24. The captain of the American barque James Evi-iton, reports that he 8»w a volcmic eruption on Curtz Island, about 22 miles off Wilson's Promontory. The general opinion is that a fire was caused by shipwrecked sailors endeavouring to attnet attention. The Government astronomer sa'es tint the volcanic tbeory is feasible. Owing to the delay and extra cost involved by mail steamers making Fremant'e the firsb port of call, the Federal Postmaster has approached the Impei ial Postmaster with a view of reverting to Albany.

It is understood that the Kanaka Bill will abolish licenses for recruiting, while the agreement with Kanakas at present employed in Queensland will be validated. These agreements may be renewed for a fuither term to be fixed by the Bill, after which it is absolutely determined that black labour shall cease, and Kanakas will be returned to the islands. I Received 29,1.22 a.m. | Melbourne, September 24. The tariff scale has been completed, and sealed copies sent to the other Stales. Sydney, September 24. Sailed: Sonoma, for Auckland. She takes half a million sterling in specie.