AUSTRALIAN CABLE.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 3523, 13 January 1886, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN CABLE.

(PSK EIKCTRIO TEtECIRAPH— COPTBfCiHT.) (ReniEß's Agbnoy.) LRoceived 12.-15 p;m., Jan. 12th.l Melbourne, Jan. 12. An informal meeting of Liberals has been held. Mr Berry recommended Mr Deakin as fitted to assume the leadership of the party. The Seamen's Union held their meeting last night to consider whether they should j.iin the Laborers' Union in the Btriko. There was a very large attendance, and it was eventually decided to. invite the cooperation of the Seamen's Unions in New South Wales, South. Australia, Queensland, and New Zealand, and if a favorable reply is received from them, to strike in twenty-four hours. It ia expected that if the seamen go out the, stewards and cooks will follow their example. Great hostility is being manifested townrda the firm of Howard, Smith and Sons, who it is proposed to boycott. [Received 2.45 p.m.. Jan. 12th.] The dispute between the men employed in the flour mills and their masters, still remains unsettled. The men are willing to agree to a redaction of ten per cent on all wagea above £2 per week, on condition that the hours be reduced to eight per day. The millowners have refused any concession, and if a settlement is not arrived at tho men .will go out on strike on Ist February. (Received 7.10 p.m., Jan. 12th.) . An attempt at Bank robbery took place at 10 o'clock this'' morning at the Collingwood sub-branch of the Commercial Bank of Australia. On arrival of tho Bank Manager with the day's supply of coin three men entered tho building and attacked him. A struggle took place, in the course of which the Manager fired his revolver on Ilia assailants.' The shot, however, unfortunately struck the owner of the premises, Mrs Ravenscroft, who came in on hearing the struggle, and she is reported to be dead. One of the robbers was arrested, but up to the present time the other two have not yet been captured. [Received 9 pro.? Jan. 12th. i Evening. . ; Further- reports respecting the attempted, robbery at the Collingwood subbranch of the Commercial Bauk of Australia, confirms the statement that. Mrs Ravenscroft is dead. The Bank manager made a most plucky defence when attacked by , the robbers. The assailants were larrikins, ono of whom was armed with a revolver, the second carried a crowbar, and the third a tomahawk. No money was stolen, -the robbers being completely, foiled iu their attempt to secure coin. : ' Four persons have been arrested in connection with the affair. - ■ 1.15 a.m., Jan. 13th.) .....: . Albany, Jan. 12. The P. and O. Company's s.s. Tasmania with the 'London mails to Dec. 11th, arrived at King George's Sound this afternoon. '. . Melbourne. Jan. 12. Sailed, this afternoon — Rhigaroomu, 5.8., for the Bluff.