AUSTRALIAN CABLE.

Timaru Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 1659, 12 January 1895, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN CABLE.

Per Electric Telegraph — Copyright. Per Press association. THE PACIFIC CABLE. Sydney, January 11. The Herald affirms that the cable route from Canada to Sydney via Fanning Island, though more expensive, would best meet the requirements of the larger colonies m Australia. AN UNFOUNDED STATEMENT. Statements having been circulated that disease germs lurked m the wood blocking of the streets, the city corporation obtained the report of a bacteriologist on the subject. Poi'tions of the blocking eleven years old were examined, both the material and moisture found underneath being placed under a searching analysis, but no pathogenic germs were found, and special search revealed not the slightest trace of the typhoid bacilluH. THE RAND ESTATE. The claimant to the Band estate m the person of the alleged son of deceased has based his claim on the contention that the deceased married m England, but the administrators assert that they possess proof that Eand left England when he was 12 years old and never went back. The estate which is worth £250,000 is being administered by the brothers of the deceased. A LITERARY FRAUD. Some time ago Sydney Truth published a series of articles entitled " John Bull and Calf " which purported to be advance proofs of Max O'Rell's new book on the colonies. At the time of publication the articles were merely regarded m a jocular light, but Max O'Rell now^ writes from New York to the Melbourne Argus denying their authorship, characterising their publication as an impudent fraud, and stating that he will deal with the proprietors on his return to England. ILLEGAL COINING. The most complete coining plant ever discovered here has been unearthed at Waterloo. For some time past a large quantity of spurious coins, representing all values from one shilling to one sovereign, has been m circulation, and the counterfeits were of such excellent workmanship as almost to deceive experts. After a desperate struggle a man named Birch was arresttfi on a charge of being concerned m the affair. CHANGE OF ADMIRALS. -Admiral Bridge has assumed command of the Australian fleet, and Admiral Bowden-Smith sails for England on Monday. Sir G. R. Dibbs m the course of «

speech advised the creation of a viceadmiral's station m Australia. THE VANCOUVER SERVICE. The Canadian Steamship Co. is considering the proposal of the New Zealand Government regarding that colony Joining the Vancouver mail service, but some time must elapse before a decision is come to, owing to Mr Huddart'a absence m England. THE VALUE OJF ARTESIAN WELLS. The Minister for Agriculture, who has been visiting the artesian bores m the Bourke district, is so impressed with their value m converting what has hitherto been arid country into extremely fertile regions, that he will probably establish homestead settlements m the vicinity. VICTORIAN POLITICS. Melbourne, January 11. By the casting vote of th« Chairman o* Committees the payment of members was reduced to £240. The Premier then moved the second reading of the Bill to reduce the salary of future Governors to £7000, but an amendment was earned making it £5000. The salaries of future Judges were also reduced by £500. In the Legislative Council an amendment, postponing the second reading of the Land and Income Tax Bill for six months, was carried, the Hon. H. Cuthbert, the representative of the Government, being the only dissentient. The Council adjourned amid cheers. DIPHTHERIA CURE. Brisbane, January 11. The Government have received a supply of Dr Roux's antitoxin diphtheria remedy. CONFERENCE. Hob Art, January 11. The idea of holding a conference of Chambers of Commerce m Hobart has been abandoned, but the local chamber will hold a special meeting to discuss the question of free interchange of the natural products of the colonies. This meeting is to be held prior to the meeting of Premiers already arranged, and the result will no doubt be communicated to the latter. POLITICAL ECONOMY. The Treasurer hopes to effect a saving of £30,000 on the estimates already sanctioned by Parliament. CANNIBALS. Perth, January 11. Six natives have been arrested m the neighbourhood of Cue on a charge of killing and eating a native boy. RAIN AT COOLGARDIE. The drought has completely broken up at Coolgardie where 3 inches of rain fell, and 40 miles of road are bad in 1 consequence. GOLD ITEMS. Hunt, the discoverer of the Thames gbldfield, has pegged out a fine reef at Dundas. The bulk of the samples taken from the reef, which is over 12 feet wide, have been treated at Coolgardie and yielded 9ozs to the ton. The expert of gold from the colony last year is valued at £788,000.