AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 2805, 19 September 1883, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(BY Telegraph:.) (Per s,s. Waihora at Bluff.) Melbouesi;, Sept. 11. The end of November has been fixed as the timo for holding the Federal Convention. Representatives of nil tho colonies meet at Sydney to discuss questions bearing directly on federation and the annexation of New Guinea and other Pacifio isles. The number of delegates has not yet been fixed, but Victoria, New South Walea, and Queensland will probably aend four each, while New Zealand, Tasmania, and South Australia are disposed to limit the number to two. Fiji is invited to join the Convention, and Western Australia will lend one delegate. Mr A. M. Garland, President of the National Woolg-owers' .Association of the United States, is now on a visit to this colony with a view to establishing more intimate business rela'ions between the colony and the Society ho represents. A curious outrage is reported. A man named Ernest Wood was found m a helpless •tate at the corner of Campbell street, and he states he was kicked by someone unknown to him m the stomach, was knocked down and a liquid poured into his mouth and eyes, depriving him of his senses. His body shows marks of violenc?, and he his not yet recovered his speech. A boiler explosion toot place at Mood's Bawmills on Monday morning, by which two men were killed and the boiler carried fifty yard*. Adelaide. A public meeting m connection with the liquor quration resolved to ask tho Treasurer to increase the duties on goods that can be manufactured m the colony, and reduce them on thoic ihat cacnot. The Directors of the Adelaide Tramway Company report that over two millions and a half of people travelled on their lines during the past year. Sir William Robinson, speaking at Adelaide on Friday, referred to the annexation question. He said if the Home Government did not immediately approve of the action of the col niea tho latter ought not t> take umbrage. Tho Home Government must consider the interests of ths Emp : re as a whole. Eeferring to federation, he said he,was a warm advocate of the movement, but ho considered they •hould not try for too much. He would not Bdvocate a complete federation of the Australian colonies similar to that of Canada, as it would not he for tho good of the colonies that their individuality should be destroyed. The colonies should be united to such an extent as would enablo them to speak with authority when making known their feelings upon such questions as federation, etc. BBISBANB. The latest returns from eight electorates increases the majority of the Opposition. It is now believed Mr Grfffiths will have a good working majority. Sydney. Newi has been received that ths French war steamer Bruat has recovered some remains of the wreoked Laperouse expedition. The Bruat brought to Noumea three cannons and three anchors. A public demonstration took place at the reception of the rolics, which will be sent to France. The master of the brig Fawn, from Timsra, reports that he witnessed a curious atmospherical phenomenon on the 30th. Tho weather waa thick and dirty, when a bright light burst forth, which illuminated tho eky for some seconds. After its [disappearance the sky became led, and continued so for ten minutes. The Australian Steam Navigation Company's steamer Ranelagh struck a rack m the river Fitzroy, and knocked a hole m her forehold. The water ignited a quantity of lime, but the fire was extinguished. The vessel was at once beached. (Per s.s. Wairaraps at Auckland.) Sydney, Sept. 13. The Minister of Works, with a view of giving an impetus to colonial industries, has decided to call for tenders m tho colony fcr fifteen or sixteen hundred tons of castings required m the construction of iron railway bridges. A large and influential deputation of the mercantile community, accompanied by several members of Parliament, urged upon the Government the increase of wharfage accommodation and the extension of the railway into the city. The scheme submitted was co vast and the proposed outlay so enormous that the Premier said it required very careful consideration. A large meeting m the Town Hall last right, presided over by the Mayor of Sydney, passed a resolution m favor of amendments m the law of libel, and it was reaolve.l that a memorial bo presented to Goverument and Parliament. Rain has fallen m eeveral of the country districts. Business is dull. Brisbase. The schooner Livinia, which left Mnckay on June 21st, reached Apia on August 24th. Here «he landed some Hinders. Next day Captain Bmith sent a boat ashore, ond the men were attacked by the natives. The second mate, a seaman, and a Government agent were terribly mutilated. Two whites and two islanders were also killed. Tho remainder saved themselves by Bwimming half a mile to the vessel. Meibotjene. A disastrous fire occurred m a wooden bou>o at South Yarra, ocoup : ed by Wm. Nash, a squatter. Five children were burnt to deatb, and m half an hour the whole, place was reduced to ashes. A domestic servant named Mary O'Mara has myateriouely disappeared. She ran out of the house m her night-dress, and has not tince been heard of. Colonial distillers are raising strong objections to Mr Mirams' proposal, embodied m hia draft tariff report. A new building for the English and Scottish Bank is about to be erected m Collins street at a coat of £50,000. It is said that the office of Inspector of Charities it to be offered to Captain Mandevilla, who will shortly be relieved of hia naval position. The Report of the Education Commission for 1882, shows a decrease m the attendance of children of over 8000 as compared with the previoua year. Tarioua reasons are assigned, excessive amount of sickness and greater attendance of Roman Catholic children at their own fchools.