AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 5307, 13 March 1884, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY.

[per s.s. rotomahana at the bluff,]

(per united press association.)

Melbourne, March 4. — The new Railway Commissioners are proceeding with- the inspection of the railway lines of the colony.

A project is on toot to commence the cultivation of oysters. A syndicate has applied for a lease of the part of the bay for that purpose. > ' ■

An extraordinary robbery was committed at the Horsham branch of the London Chartered Bank of Australia between closing on Saturday and opening on Monday. The officials on going to the bank on Monday morning found the key-hole of the safe choked with broken penholders. On their removal, the safe was opened in the usual way, and it was discovered that nearly £6000 in notes and gold had been stolen. Two detectives have the matter in hand. There were no signs of forcible entry, the bars of the doors and windows not being displaced.

Miss Genevieve Ward, the celebrated actress, and Mr W. H. Vernon are passengers by the Mirzapore, expected in Melbourne in a few days. " Impulse "is still attracting large houses at the Princess Theatre, and is now in the eleventh week of its run. Mdlle Pauline Rita's concert on Saturday was an immense success. Mr Radcliffe's flute-playing created a furore.

St»ney, March 4. — The Government have issued instructions to the Agent-General not ro receive any more money at the Emigration Office, London, as deposits for the payment of the passage of emigrants from England to this colony .

The Government are taking steps to test the spirits, wines, beers, &c, sold in the colony. The police have been instructed to obtain samples for analysis.

At a meeting of the Commissioners of the Amsterdam Exhibition, a member condemned in strong terms the conduct of the promoters of the Exhibition in exacting payment for the medals awarded to the exhibitors. It was resolved that the action of the Exhibition authorities was an act of repudiation^

Adelaide, March 4. — The largest fire that has occurred for some time broke out on Monday, at Oowell's timber yards, Norwood. It destroyed the whole contents of the yard, and gutted several buildings, carpenters' v/orkshop, and other buildings. The fire is supposed to be the work of an incendiary, as shortly after the first was seen burning four other places simultaneously ignited. When the alarm was given the Norwood Brigade was attending another fire, but on account of the magnitude of Cowell's left and came there. Less than a month ago an attempt was made to burn the same premises, but the fire was discovered in time.

The election of a member of the Legislative Council in the place of the late Sir Wm. Morgan resulted in the return of Mr Simms, who polled 2365 against Mr Santo's 2050. Ths annual report of the inspectors of stock, just published, says that scab has not appeared during the year, and recommends that all slaughterhouses be examined to test the freedom of meat from tuberculosis.

Brisbane, March 4. — The Customs receipts at Brisbane for February were £37,479, being an increase of £8587 on the corresponding month of the previous year. A company is being formed in Brisbane to start a tri-weekly paper devoted to the political and social interests of Irishmen.

Hobart, March 4. — It has been discovered that officers in the volunteer force who, occupy seats ' in the Legislature are liable to a penalty, and their seats are rendered vacant under the Act. Several have already resigned. The Timaru, a new steamer belonging to the Timaru Steam Colliery Company, arrived on Saturday, 76 days out from Cardiff, having put in for cargo. Perth, March 4. — News has been received from King George's Sound that a disastrous hurricane occurred in Beagle Bay and Lacepede Islands on 16th February. The vessels Myra, Dolphin, Expert, and Annie Taylor were driven ashore. The Flowerdale put to sea, and lost her boats. Three pearliflg natives were drowned. At the Police Court oa Wednesday, Col. Angelo, one of the magistrates, disagreed with the decision of his colleague in a case of trespass against the Rev Mr Shearer, Presbyterian minister, and dismissed the case. The matter caused much comment, and it is believed au official enquiry will be held.