SPECIAL AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6037, 20 September 1887, Page 3

SPECIAL AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Per s.s. Wairarapa, at the Bluff.)

[I'ltOM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT."]

INVERCARGILL, Sept. 19,

BRIEF ITEMS,

The burglary "boom" in Melbourne is increasing, in dimensions. The most daring case of shop-breaking which has been chronicled for many years took place in the moat frequented part of Collins street, between the hours of 8 and 10 o'clock. At ten minutes to 10, the watchman on the beat discovered that the street door of R. Gourlay's jeweller's shop, 35, Collins street east, had been forced open, and examination showed that the shop had been completely ransacked, and jewellery, to the value of over £1000, stolen. The watchman had examined the door shortly after 8 o'clock, when it was quite secure. There were a number of cabmen on the rank in the vicinity, and many people must have passed the shop during the time the robbers were at work, but nothing suspicious appears to have been noticed.

A number of shearers in the Deliniquin district have been heavily fined for breaking agreements.

A defaulting bank teller, from Carlton, Melbourne, has been arrested at Molong, New South Wales.

Strong efforts are being made by the Sydney Trades and Labour Council and other labour organisations, to arouse public feeling against the plan for the distribution of the Bulli relief fund adopted by the Central Committee, and in favour of the payment of lump sums to the widows. A leading firm of solicitors has been instructed to take proceedings to restrain the Central Committee from distributing the funds as proposed, and the Trades and Labour Council intend to take up the case of the widows of the miners who were killed by the disaster, and against the Bulli Company, which will be proceeded against for compensation under the Employers' Liability Act.

The Melbourne Customs officers have seized jewellery to the value of J3IOOO, which is believed to have been introduced into the Colony without payment of duty. It is supposed that a large portion of the jewellery was brought ashore from the different mail steamers as passengers' luggage.

John Samuel Pitt, a quack doctor of Sydney, was convicted of the manslaughter of an infant. He was sentenced to nine months' imprisonment. The Anglican Synod concluded its sittings in Sydney. Among the resolutions carried was one expressing disapproval of the practice of raising money for Church purposes by means of raffling, lotteries, and games of chance. _ Patrick Proctor, the pointsman who distinguished hinißeif.by his bravery and presence of mind in connection with the Hawkesbury railway accident, has been presented with upwards of £150, raised by public subscription, as a mark of approbation of his conduct.

Henry Raphael, charged at the Sydney City Police Court with keeping in his shop indecent photographs, pleaded guilty, and was fined £25, with costs, .£36 in all. After hearing lengthy arguments by Sir John Downer and Mr JSTesbitt, in regard to the arrest of William Radcliffe, a young_qlergjsaujfrom New 2ealan.dj Mr