AUSTRALIA.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6049, 10 December 1897, Page 3

AUSTRALIA.

United Press _. ssociation-By Electric TelegraphCopyright. Eeceived Dec. 9, 9.55 p.m. MAYOR OF SYDNEY. SYDNEY, Dec 9. Alderman Matthew Harris has been elected Mayor of Sydney. A SENSATIONAL CASE.Sensational developments have been made in connection with the notorious Butler divorce case. In 1804 Thomas Richard Butler obtained a, decree of divorce from his wife on the ground of adultery. Subsequent revelations led the Crown to prefer a charge of conspiracy against Butler and two accomplices, and the three were sentenced to long terms of imprisonment. Recently Mrs Butler commenced an action for divorce against her husband on the ground of desertion. To-day while the petitioner was under examination, Butler announced that at the time he married the petitioner his legal wife was and is still alive. He addsd that he had all along fought in order to conceal knowledge of his bigamy from the petitioner for the sake of his children. The case was ordered to stand over for inquiry. Received Dec. 9, 11.20 p.m. FROLICSOME LEGISLATORS. With the approaching end of the session legislators are becoming frolicsome. At an early hour this morning an alarm was received at the central" fire station from Parliament House. The Brigade turned out with all its engines and invaded the House in large force, only to discover that a practical joke had been played. A little later an attempt was made to count out the House. The Opposition members found themselves locked in a room, and had to burst the door to enable them to get out. Eeceived Dec. 9, 10 p.m. A HEAVY FLOOD. ADELAIDE, Dec 9. The station-master at Ivatherine, Northern Territory, reports that the river is in high flood. Fifteen inches of rain have fallen since Wednesday morning, aud rain is still falling. The overland telegraph line at both crossings has carried away. The river is half a mile wide and is still rising. He can do nothing till the weather moderates, but every effort will be made to restore communication as early as possible. Keceivad Dec. 10, 11 .20 a.m. CABLE INTERRUPTION. SYDNEY, Dec 10. In addition to the Port Darwin lines communication on the West Australian lines is interrupted, thus preventing English news being diverted by the Roebuck Bay route.