VARIOUS GABLED ITEMS.

West Coast Times, 21 March 1910, Page 3

VARIOUS GABLED ITEMS.

AUSTRALIAN.

(PEB PRESS ASSOCIATION,— COPraiGHI.j

* MYSTERIOUS EXPLOSION. MELBOURNE, March 20.—Four shops in Brunswick street, Fitzroy, were destroyed by a mysterious explosion. Eleven persons residing on tbe wrecked premises, including Crabtree (a grocer) were seriously injured, being buried in the debris. Mrs Snedd'on and daughter were severely hurt. The explosion was accompanied by a vast sheet of flames, supposed to be attributable to gas, but details are meagre. Four shops were almost demloisbed by the explosion.

A man named Shaw confessed to the police that recently Crabtree effected an insurance on his, stock and removed about £4OO worth of stock. Shavings were carted to Crabtree’s premises in large quantities and on Friday night Crabtree saturated these with methylated spirits and benzine. It v.as arranged that when the place was well alight Shaw should jump from the verandah and give the alarm, but the scheme miscarried. When Crabtree struck a light a violent explosion followed aiid Shaw knew no more.

The explosion damaged forty-seven other buildings, the majority but very slightly. Both sides of tbe street suffered from the explosion, all the windows for a long distance being shattered.

WESTRALIAN BUSH FIRES

Perth, March 19.—Disastrous hushfires are raging in Blackwood district extending for GO miles along the coast.

ADDED MONEY FOR THE A.R.C. MELBOURNE, March 19.—The Victorian Racing Club has decided to increase the added money for the Melbourne Cup by £IOOO and altogether increase the stakes for next season’s events by the total sura of £4OOO. IS IT A FORECAST? MELBOURNE, March 19.—The byelection for the Brunswick seat in the Assembly resulted in Mr Jewell (Labour) defeating a Ministerialist by a large majority. THE BEAUFORT DISASTER. MELBOURNE, March 20.—At the inquest into the Beaufort disaster the coroner found the accident was primarily due to the unskilfulness of Driver Coward, or to an error in his maiv ipulation of the brakes; that if the fitter (Fewster) had done his duty faithfully the accident would not have occurred; had Driver Coward instead of insisting on the fitter doing his duty, taken the risk of running the engine, as it was one of the contributory causes; the failure to properly repair the engine and the long period of fourteen hours that Coward was on duty.

LADY DUDLEY. LONDON, March 20.—Lady Dudley is reported to be doing well.

THE JAPANESE SQUADRON

SYDNEY, March 20.—The Japanese warships Sayo and Aso reached Sydney to-day and received the usual salutes ando fheial visits were exchanged.