AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8541, 23 September 1907, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

LOCAL OPTION. SYDNEY, September 21. TLe iocal .option poll returns are complete for se.venty-nine electorates. Sixty-two voted reduction and seventeen continuance.

DEATH FROM EATING THE

HEMLOCK PLANT.

SYDNEY, September 21

Two children died at Orange and one in Victoria from eating the hemlock plant.

(The name hemlock is applied to several poisonous herbs having finely cut leaves and small white flowers.)

PROLONGED TRY WEATHER

SYDNEY, September 21

The prolonged dry weather is caueing much uneasiness in many parts of the State. Crops and stock are suffering from shortness of water. Supporters of the nineteen year cycle theory claim that Australia is nearing the end of the cycle, and that next year will bring'abundant rain.

ENORMOUS BUSH FIRE 3.

BRISBANE, September 21

Enormous bush fires have been burning for days in the vicinity of the Norman River.

Heavy of stock are feared.

THE KANGAROO FLAT TRAGEDY.

MELBOURNE, September 21

Two suspects have been arrested in connection wir,h the murder at Kangaroo Flat of Wendell, an old-age pensioner, who was found dead in his hut, with pea rifle wounds on his body, and a rope round his neck.

THE DEFENCE VOTE,

MELBOURNE, September 21

The House is discussing the defence vote. i

The Minister for Defence stated that Australia was in a better position as regards artillery and ammunition than ever before. At the same time, he added that, guns had been in stock for years for which there were no limber watrons or ammunition.

THE SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP

Received September 22, 5.5 p.m. SYDNEY, September 22. Arnst, the ex-New Zealander, has lodged a deposit for a match with W. Webb, of Wanganui, for the sculling championship of the world. THE COAL COMBINE. MELBOURNE, September 21. Mr D. Mills denies all knowledge of the reported participation by the Union Company in the coal combine. He says that all the company's socalled business was contracted for 1 between the Sydney and New Zealand offices. Coal importers here state that owing to the abnormal demand for coal at Newcastle, inter-Statfe shipping firms are being seriously inconveni - enced, and as a result of the delays in obtaining loading considerable financial loss is involved. SYDNEY, September 21. The aerents of the Ennerdale state that they were told distinctly that as the vessel was outside the "vend" it was no use trying to get cargo, and the Union Company, when asked to accept a charter, said they had plenty of bottoms of their own. The agents further state that they can get coal at any time from the "vend" provided they ship it through the Union Company, or they can get it from some companies outside the combine; but it so happens in the present instance that other coal will not suit the firm who gave tTiem the charter. Arrangements had now been made to ship certain quantities through the Union Company. Received September 23, 12.32 a.m. SYDNEY, September 22.

The reported advance in the price of Newcastle coal to lis is likely to take place within a few weeks. The reason of the delay is that several collieries are averse to a rise in the price at present, and desire to secure uniformity of price throughout the district.

THE PRICE OF COPPER. HOBART, September 21. Owing to the unremunerative price whex*eto copper has fallen, the Mount Lyeil blocks mine is practically closed. AUSTRALIAN LEATHER. SYDNEY, Septemher 21. A report shows that imports of Australian leather into South Africa inci'eased in value from £12,700 in 1905 to £58,000 last year. THE AUSTRALIAN SQUADRON. SYDNEY, September 21. The warships Psyche and Pioneer have returned from Singapore with new crews. THE ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION. SYDNEY, September 21. Lieutenant Shackleton advises that the Nimrod will be unable to call at Sydney en route for New Zealand, as suggested, but will call when returning from the Antarctic expedition.

CABLE NEWS.

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph Copyright.