AUSTRALIAN CABLE.

Timaru Herald, Volume LII, Issue 5163, 9 June 1891, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN CABLE.

(Per Elkctric Telegraph— Copyright) (Per Press Association.) (Reoeived 11.30 a.m., June Bth.) EARTHQUAKE, Melbotjrbe, June 8. I A slight shock of earthquake waa felt m this city yesterday. THE DEFENCE COMMISSION. The Defence Commission recommend that Queensland undertake the defence of Thursday Island and provide a permanent garrison, the other colonies sharing the cost. The Commission also recommend a simple defence of Port Darwin to protect the lauding place of the cables, to guard against a possibility of the telegraph stations being surprised. (Received 9 p.m., June Bth.) LOSS OF THE TARAMUNG. Sydney, June 8. A telegram was received thia afternoon from Backstairs that a quantity of wreckage, including a ship's wheel and oara marked " Taramung," had been washed ashore. From this it is believed that the vessel, which was a screw steamer iof 1281 tons, has foundered during the heavy gales which have prevailed off the coast during tin? last few days, The Taramung was commanded by John Pago, with whom was associated Petersen, as chief officer, and Scott as second officer. In the engine-room wero Cree, chief engineer, McKenzie second, and Robinson third. The names of the crew are — Scott, Humphries, Larson, Tipper, Cairns, Nesh, Siddle, Stevenson, Johnson, Bestock, Gillespie, McFarland, Hume, Anderson, Pollock, and Conne. The weather is still boisterous and there is no sign of its clearing up.