AUSTRALIAN CABLE.

Timaru Herald, Volume LX, Issue 2646, 8 March 1898, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN CABLE.

.+ United Press Association— By Electric Telegraph— Copyright. Received March 7th, 8 am. CONFERENCE OF PREMIERS. Melbourne, March 7. The Conference of Premiers opens today. Owing to the Federal Convention sitting concurrently, only subjects of pressing importance will be dealt with, and they probably will include better cable communication with Britain, the date of the referendum on the Federal Constitution, prohibition of Asiatic immigration, and representation of the colonies at the Paris Exhibition. Received March Bth, 12.30 a.m. SUPPLY OE STEEL RAILS. The Government have accepted the tender of the Pennsylvania Steel Company, America, to supply 14,000 tons of steel rail fish plates. The tender aggregates £75,000. FLOODS IN QUEENSLAND. Brisbane, March 7. It is raining heavily, and the river is rising. Floods have occurred at Gympie and Maryborough. Received March 7th, 9 a.m. A RICH FIND. Pbrth, March 7. A prospector named Martin found a 4640z nugget at Lake Way, m the Cue district. Received March 7th, 9.45 p.m. A MISSING STEAMER. Sydney, March 7. There is still no sign of the steamer Fiado. She is now nineteen days out to Noumea, Various steamers are keeping a look-out. A cable from Noumea reports that the French warship has returned from the search of the Fiado. She found no trace of her, and it is feared that she has foundered. She had thirty-four of a crew and three passengers, Messrs Stillwell, Evans and Powell. Received March Bth, 12.30 a.m. THE MIOVVERA. Sailed— Miowera. INJURY TO CROPS. Continuous rains have seriously injured the maize crops m the river Richmond district.