AUSTRALIAN CABLE.

Timaru Herald, Volume LII, Issue 5037, 7 January 1891, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN CABLE.

(Per Elkctrio Telegravh— CopyciaHT.) . (Per Pkess Association.) (Received 11 a.m., Jau. (sth.) BUSH FIRES. Sydney, Jan. 0. A bush fire m the vicinity of Condobolin, about 360 miles inland, has devastated about 120 mileß of country. Twenty thousand sheep perished m the flames. The fire travelled at the rote of ten miies ati hour, and if the wind bad not suddenly changed nothing could havej saved, the township. A ROGUE'S BOOTY. It is stated that the defalcations of Bennett, late'manaeer of the Paddington branch of the English and Scottish Chartered Bank, amount to £13.000. SICKNESS IN THE ISLANDS. The mission vessel Southern Crosa, which ha: arrived from the Islando, reports great mortality among the natives of the Gilbert Group, where an epidemio | of measles and dysentery had been raging. Eight cases of true leprosy have been discovered m the Penryhn'a Group. Tha natives of Hervey Group have been suffering from la grippe,, and a larga number of deaths occurred. GENERAL BOOTH'S SCHEME. Melbourne, Jan. 0. The Premier of Tasmania has replied to Mr Munro'a circular with reference to General Booth's soherne, stating that he thinks it advisable to await full par« ticulars of tho scheme before entering upon any discussion. CABLE RATES! The chairman of the Easteru'Extonsion Telegraph Co. cables as follows : — "The gist of the agreement will soon be ready, m order if approved that the reductions may come into- operation without delay." INTERCOLONIAL CRICKET. In the intercolonial match between Victoria and South Australia the latter m, their first iunings mado 472 — G. Giffen, 237. Viotoria'mado 220 and 190, boing beatou m ono innings with 63 runa to spare. UNDERGROUND~~DISTURBANOES. Brisbane, Jan. C. Prolonged shocks of earthquake have boou exnorioncod at Durway and Hawkos. wood.

PASSENGERS FOR NEW ZEALAND. Albany, Jan. 6. Arrived— S.S. Carthage. Passengers for Now Zealand— Messsra Clarke, Buckley, Rawlina, Lamber, Mr and Mrs Tasker, Mr and Mrs Beddington and family, Mr and Mra Waltnaley, Roy. \V» Lean, Mrs White, Miaaea Elkin, Gregg and Huttou.