AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5161, 17 November 1884, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

'■ (Per s.s. Wairarapa, via the Bluff.) ; [Per Press Association.] j BOILER EXPLOSION. j THE RUFUS PROTEST, i | HOLIDAY ATTRACTIONS. j _ Melbourne, Nov. 11. A complimentary banquet was given to Mr J. B. Patterson, M.L.A., on his return from Europe. A boiler explosion took place at a tannery at Richmond. One man was killed and four were dangerously injured. The Spring meeting of the Victoria Racing Club was brought to a close on Saturday. It was the most successful ever held. The weather was perfect, and the attendance far in excess of previous years. The Prince of Wales' birthday was celebrated y«sterday, and characterised by the usual rejoicings. The principal attraction was a grand review of the forces, and a sham fight, in which the militia and naval forces combined. There was also racing at Williamstown, a monster Salvation Army gathering, and the usual Bay excursions. The protest lodged against Ruf us for the Derby turns out not very serious, being for alleged wrong pedigree. If it is sustained, which is unlikely, it will not affect bets. The Australian cricketers arrived early this morning in tbe Mirzapore. Owing to the early hour there was no demonstration welcome. The only unpleasantness in connection with the V_J.C. meeting was occasioned by the Hon W. Pearson, M.L.C., the owner of Commotion and Fryingpan, accusing Mr Barnard, the Handicapper to the Club, of wilfully weighting Fryingpan out of a race. The Stewards called upon M? Pearson to apologise to Mr Barnard. The victory of Commotion in the Canterbury Plate -cm Saturday was the most popular one seen .for a long time. The! spectators cheered enthusiastically whenthe jockey weighed in, and even the bookmakers, who lost their money, so far forgot themselves as to swell the acclamations at his victoe— . The theatres have been dorng good business during the raci»g time, "The Merry Duchess " at the Princess, " Silver King" at the Royal, Marie de Grey in "Moths" at the Bijou, and "'ln the Ranks " at the Opera House, being the principal attractions. A number of new animals have atrived for tho Zoological Gardens, but uzfi Drtunately the two most valuable, a tapir .and a rhinoceros, died on the voyage.