AUSTRALIAN CABLE.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 3546, 9 February 1886, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN CABLE.

(Pbb Eleotkio Telegraph — Copyright.) (Reuter's Agency.) [Received 10.15 a.m., Feb. Bth. j Hobart, Feb. 8. Tho Federal Council has been formally adjourned, and the representatives of the various colonies have left for home. Melbourne, Feb. 8. The Government are m receipt of a telegram from tho Secretary of Slate for the Colonies, to the effect that there is uo change to report m Saraoan affairs, and Germany has renewed her former assurances that tho annexation of those islands is not intended. Referring to the New Hebrides, Colonel Stanley says that England adheres to her previous understanding m regard to Raiatea, by which it was agreed that the French flag should be hoisted on the island on condition that British ships should be placed on an equal footing with traders from other nations. [Heooived 10 p.m.. Fob. Bth.l A fatal boiler explosion is reported from Ballarat. An ammonia boiler at the Ballarat Ice Works burst and totally wrecked the building. A man and a boy were killed, and the proprietor of the factory now lies m an extremely critical condition. A telegram from Mr Murray-Smith, Agent-General for Victoria, has been received to-day by the Government. Mr Smith states that accompanied by Sir Francis Dillon Bell, Agent-General for New Zealand, and Mr Garrick, AgentGeneral for Queensland, he waited upon Sir Robert Herbert, Under Secretary for the Colonies, with reference to the rereported Franco-German agreement respecting the occupation of the New Hebrides. Sir Robert Herbert assured the Agentß-General Her Majesty's Government would not consent to anything m connection with the disposal of those Islands without consulting the colonies. Sir Saul Samuel, Agent-General for New South Wales, and Sir Arthur Blyth, Agent-General for South Australia, were not present at the interview. Both abstain from action pending the receipt of authority from their respective Govornmeuts.