AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XL, Issue 2905, 15 January 1884, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(Br Tblssbuh.) (Per s.s.M'aihora at the Bluff.) Btdhbt, Jan. 7. '(The losses by the recent fire at Walgett are estimated at 4SOOO, whereof £1000 if ia the National Marine of New Zealand. It is under stood! it v intended to put the five escapees on board the French war-sbip Cher. Me^nwhil.j the priMuern are detained at Darlingbnrst. ' ' - The steamer Tomkie, which left for Biohmond river on tbe evening of the 2nd, was found to be on fire after leaving the Heads. The crew fortunately succeeded m extinguishing the Are. Thi> cargo was much damaged by fire and water. '- •* Tbe Queensland revenue returns for tbe quarter show an increase of nearly £140,000, compared with the previous year. Customs revenue increase! by £35,000; land by £53,000 j and railway by £35,000; In the Unw Sjutb Wales rsvenuo returns the principal feature is tba large decrease m land revenue, conseqaent on a reduoiion m nilns, the falling eff amountiog to £346,970. Otherwise the returns are fairly satisfactory. Melbopbnb. Negatintiooe between Victoria and New South. Wales for un uniform rats of postage bave not yet been concluded. It is understood further communications will psis betweon the two Governments. Tbe German Crovernment bave replied to Mr Berry's letttir m reference to the admission of the colonies to tbe Postal Union, to, the 1 effect that Germany cannot recognise the right of the colonies to separate representation, and suggesting tbat a final settlement, should be deferred until tbe next meeting of tbe Convention. - > .' ' Orders have now been given for a grsdoql diabandment of the Volunteer foroe, with a view to form a. 'new Militia force. Several local officers are gazetted to rank. Karl Boaebery is now on a visit to Tasmania, but ietum« to Melbuurne' this weak, and will afterwards visit South Australia. - In consequsneeof m format Icm received by the mail that snallrwx exists m Mauritius, the Board. of. Hsalth has taken (tepi to declare Port Louis infected. It is stated very satisfactory progress is being made itownrds tbe ssttlement of the Malice country, and large areas of the Und liave been: taker., up by several of the best-; , known firms. ■ ■ '■ \ It is intended to take united actibn to : sup{ press tbe rabbit imd dingo pesfcs. ■ ■• | ' The Gaviirnnnifit 'have declined td modify the sentence) oni * Bobert Cartel',' a jeweller 1 , who was impriioned for fraudulent Jbankruptcy. ' ..■■<■■■.:■■.■■ I The Armt asserte that Bedmond's stated [ ment that tbe i»lonies s,ab*ortbed £4SOd towards the, Farnell Ustimonial is ap exaggera- | tion, arid tbat ),be anlouut,ao£u«lly rectfi^ed does not exceed ;81006. News from rtfuy . parts , of the interior ; tettifies to tevent^ bush fires, oausiog loss to . manyfarmerti,aojsc|tiattart. ' ,