AUSTRALIAN CABLE.

Timaru Herald, Volume LX, Issue 2397, 18 May 1897, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN CABLE.

Paa Electric Telegraph — Copyright. Per Press Association. CONTINUED EARTHQUAKES. Adelaide. May 17. Another severe shock of earthquake was felt at Kingston early on Saturday morning. Occasional tremors have also been felt since. AGRICULTURAL CONFERENCE. Sydney, May 17. The conference of Ministers of Agriculture decided that there could be no alteration of the tick quarantine line as adopted at the late conference. They also decided that it would be too risky to allow owners to transfer stock from the drought-stricken non-affected districts to places where feed and water are available. The conference resolved to favour the establishment of an Intercolonial Stock Institute, and securing the services of Dr Koch to inquire into the tick disease. Also to obtain a redact on of the freights on exported produce, and to secure regularity m shipments; that the inspection and handling of frozen meat be insisted upon by all the colonies as a guarantee that it is sound and free from disease ; the branding of dairy produce and other perishable products ; that inspection of the sources of milk supplies be made compulsory; that advantage be taken of the presence of the Premiers m England to enquire into the possibility of improving and extending the distribution of Australian products. THE TICK EXPERIMENTS. Brisbane, May 17. The recently reported failure of the tick inoculation experiments arose through the misinterpretation by a grazier of a telegram from the stock inspector. The chief inspector considers that the experiments are highly satisfactory, and is convinced that with proper precautions stock can be rendered immune. He states that hundreds of cattle m the northern districts of New South Wales have been taken from the tick districts to Queensland, the blood of which is capable of producing tick fever, but by the inoculation of young stock he is convinced that New South Wales can absolutely protect her herds against tick and its deadly consequence, red water. * A DISHONEST CLERK. Melbourne, May 17. Ernest Buley, chief senior clerk of the Melbourne Mint, has been committed for trial for stealing £120 worth of worn silver coins and 100 sovereigns from the bullion room, to which he had access. INSURANCE MATTERS. Recently the fire insurance companies considerably increased the premiums. This action is being met by a corresponding reduction of risks on the part of insurers. The Tramway Trust reduced their risk by half, and many other public and private companies are taking a similar step.