AUSTRALIA.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5760, 2 January 1897, Page 6

AUSTRALIA.

[Per Press Association.] THE BUBONIC PLAGUE. SYDNEY, .Tax. 1 The postal authorities consider that there is no necessity to disinfect mails, owing to the plague in India. A DESTRUCTIVE STORM. A cyclonic storni in tho Narrabri district killed birds in large numbers, uprooted trees and unroofed many houses. Pour inches of rain fell. THE RECIPROCITY CONFERENCE. HOBART, Jan. 1. - The consent of the Premiers of all the Australian colonies has been obtained to a conference to be hold on Feb. 2. PENNY POSTAGE. BRISBANE, Jan. 1. With reference to the cabled report of an interview with Mr Henniker Heaton, that gentleman, during his visit here, sounded the Government as to whether it 1 would havo any objection to tho Imperial Government sending mails by penny post by al) sea routes from England to Australia. The Government assured Mr Heaton that t would not make any objection. A MYSTERIOUS DEATH. SYDNEY, Jan. 1. The Government has offered a reward of _>25 for information giving satisfactory proof how Sydney Weston met his death, and if it is found that death Avas the result of foul play, then an additional £7o will be paid for a cluo to the murderer. Weston's body was found in a hollow tree on the bank of the Darling, dear Menindie, on Oct. 24, and there aro some features resembling the Glenbrook murders.

OLD AGE PENSIONS.

MELBOURNE, Jan. 1

Mr Duffy, Postmaster-General, will visit New Zealand next month, and while there will institute inquiries into the old age pension scheme of the Government.