The Madras Disaster— Further Details.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5841, 2 February 1887, Page 3

The Madras Disaster— Further Details.

New South Wales Politics. (KKUTRH'i TELEGRAM*?.] [Beoeived F«rt>. 2, at 2.20 p.m.J MELBOURNE, Feb. 2. Indian papers further state that on -the morning after the fire took place, the Governor, Sir Eobert Bourke, visited the Hospitals. Messages of condolence were received from the Queen, and from Lord Dufferin (Viceroy). Sir Eobert Fowler (late Lord Mayor of London) happened to be on a visit to the Governor. His assistance was especially useful in organising sub-

scriptiona, he himself heading the list. Suspicion has been aroused that the fire was the work of incendiaries, from the fact that many bodies had been looted, and , that the fire broke out simultaneously i in two places. A writer in the i Madras Mail asserts from personal , observation that the suspicious actions , of the natives on the night of the fire convinced him that ; the catastrophe was the result of a preconcerted scheme. Upwards ! of twenty burnt bodies have been ; found on the sea beach, stripped of their ornaments. The great majority of the victims were males, women and children apparently having been passed by in the rush to the gate. Soldiers and civilians, both European anl Indian, inside the enclosure, worked in the most unselfish manner to rescue the sufferers.

STDNET, Fsb. ]. Mr Barton, late Speaker of the Legislative Council, has been, appointed to a seat in the Council. The Premier met with a moat en> thusiastic reception at Maitland yeaterday. ! The nomination for St Leonards j took place to-day, Sir Henry Parkes j being unopposed. Mr Trail, a Protectionist candidate, has been well received in East Sydney. 810 .IA.NIEKO, Feb. 1. The vessel which collided with the Kapunda also sank. The name of the vessel has not yet been ascertained.