AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 1003, 24 July 1883, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Melbourne, July 18. The proprietors of the Argus and Australasian have sent Julian Thomas (“ The Vagabond ”) as a special correspondent to the New Hebrides, to make a tour of the islands, to report on the French projects of annexation, and the condition of the labor trade.

The news of the arrival of the ship Poonah at Fiji, having cholera, measles and small pox on board, has induced the Central Board of Health to declare Fiji an infected port. The Hawthorn Inquiry Board has concluded its sittings. They comment very strongly on the disorganisation of the department.

The Pilot Board has suspended the certificate of Pilot Gafford for two years, in consequence of his bringing in the George Roper causing her wreck. Messrs Godfrey and Buller, solicitors, have commenced proceedings against the New Australasian Company on behalf of Mrs O’Shea, the widow of one of the victims of the Creawick disaster, for LI,OOO. A well-attended public meeting, convened by the Mayor in obedience to a requisition, took place on Monday night in support of the annexation of the Pacific Islands. Mr Justice Higginbotham, in an able speech, advocated the annexation in order to prevent the islands from being peopled by French criminals, and to properly regula e the labor traffic. An accusation of favoritism has been made against Mr Ferris, the Government printer. The Treasurer decided to appoint a Board of Inquiry. At the criminal sessions, Thomas, charged with embezzling L 1,600 from Messrs J. and A, Brown, his employers, was sentenced to three years’ hard labor. Not much has been done by the syndicate who purchased the George Roper on account of the prevalence of bad weather. Sydney, July 18.

The Engineers’ Exhibition, which hu been remarkably successful, was brought to a close on Saturday by the Treasurer. A profit of LI,OOO was realised. Mr Robert Jervois, said to be brother of the Gpvernor of Mew Zealand, broke his leg on going ashore from a steamer at Newcastle, and was taken te the hospital. Packer, B. A.M, the well-known musician, has just died, aged 73. The funeral was attended by 6,000. There was a choral service. The annual sales of stud sheep are now proceeding. Some rams fetched up to 325 guineas. Adelaide, July 18. During the voyage of the Piorata from Melbourne, a heavy sea broke on board, washing overboard McCallum, the boatswain’s mate, breaking both legs of Woodman, the carpenter, and breaking the leg and arm of Davies, a seaman. Woodman and Davies were tasen to the Uospital. Woodman had both legs amputated at the knee. Davies had one foot amputated. No sign of McOallum could be found, although the ship put back. In the Assembly the second reading of a Bill to repeal the use of the totalisator was read. A motion is before the House to render betting of any kind illegal, and also publishing the odds by newspapers.