AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 1052, 19 September 1883, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Melbourne, Sept. 13. A disastrous fire occurred in a wooden house at South Yarra, occupied by Wm. Nash. A squatter and five children were burnt to death in half an hour. The whole place was reduced to ashes. A domestic servant, named Mary O’Meara, has mysteriously disappeared. She ran out of the house in her nightdress, and has not since been heard of. The colonial distillers are raising strong objections to Mr Mirams’ proposal embodied in the draft tariff report. A new building for the English and Scottish Bank is about to be erected in Collins street at a cost of L 50,000. It is said that the office of Inspector of Charities is to be offered to Captain Ma> deville, who will shortly be relieved of his naval position. The report of the Education Commission for 1882 shows a decrease in the attendance of children of over eight thousand as compared with the previous year. Various reasons are assigned, including excessive sickness and a greater withdrawal of Roman Catholic children to then, own schools.

The end of November is the time fixed for holding the Federal Convention. Representatives from the whole of the colonies will meet in Sydney to discuss the questions bearing directly on federation and the annexation of New Guinea and other Pacific isles. The number of delegates is not yet fixed. Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland are favorable to sending four each, whilst New Zealand, Tasmania, and South Australia are disposed to limit the number to two. Fiji has been invited to join the Convention, and Western Australia will send one delegate. Mr A. M. Garland, President of the National Woolgrovvers’ Association in the United >tates, is now on a visit to New South Wales, with the view of establishing more intimate business relations in the colony for the society he represents. A curious case is reported. A man named Ernest Wood was found in a helpless state at the corner of Campbell street, He states he was kicked by a man unknown in the stomach, and knocked down, and a liquid was poured into his mouth and eyes, depriving him of his senses. His body shows marks of violence,

and he has not yet fully recovered speech. A boiler explosion took place at Moon’s saw mills on Monday morning. Two men were killed, and the boiler was carried fifty yards. Sydney, Sept. 13. The Minister of Works, with a view of giving an impetus to colonial industries, has decided to call for tenders in the colony for 1,500 or 1,600 tons of castings required in the construction of iron railway bridges. A largo and influential deputation of

the mercantile community, accompanied by several members of Parliament, urged upon the Government the imrease of wharfage accommodation and to extend the railway into the city. The scheme submitted|was too vast, and the proposed outlay so enormous that the Premier said it required very careful consideration.

A large meeting in the Town Hall last night, presided over by the Mayor of Sydney, passed resolutions in favor of amendments in the law of libel, and it was resolved that a memorial be presented to the i overnmont and Parliament.

Rain has fallen in several of the country districts.

News has been received that the French war steamer Bruat has recovered the remains of the wreck of the Le Pe-

rouse expedition. The Bruat brought to Noumea three cannons and three anchors. A public demonstration took place at the reception of the relics, which will be seat to Fiance.

The master of the brig Fawn, from Timaru, reports being a witness of a curious atmospheric phenomenon on the 30th ult. The weather was thick and dirty, when a bright light burst forth and illuminated the sky for some seconds. After disappearing the sky became red, and continued so for ten minutes. The Australian Steam Navigation Co.’s Ranelagh struck on a rock in the River Fitzroy, and knocked a hole in her forehold. The water ignited a quantity of lime, but the fire was extinguished. Tha vessel has since been beached. Adelaide, Sept. 13. At a public meeting in connection with the labor question, it was resolved to ask the Treasurer to increase the duties on goods that can be manufactured in the colony, and to reduce them on good? that cannot.

The Directors of the Adelaide Tramway Company report that over two million and a half of people travelled on their lines during the past year. t-ir \Villiam|Robinson, speaking in Adelaide, referred to the annexation question, and said if the Home Government did not

immediately approve the aotioD.fr.of the colonies, the latter*. ottyjht lijefiSlahliiibrage. The Government must consider the interests of the empire as a whole. Referring to federati n, he said he was a w-irra advocate of the movement, but considered they should not try for too much. He would not advocate the complete federation of the colonies, similar to Canada. It was not necessary for ths good of the colonies that their individuality should be destroyed. He wanted to see the colonies unite in joint action, enabling them to speak with authority when making known their feelings upon such questions as federation

Brisbane, Sept. 14. The schooner Lavinia, which left Mackay on June 21st, reached Apia on August 24th. Here she landed some islanders, and the next day Capt. Smith sent a boat ashore, and was attacked by the natives. The second mate, a seaman, and the Government agent were terribly mutilate 1. Two whites and two islanders were also killed. The remainder saved themselves by swimming half a mile to the vessel.

The latest returns from eight electorates increase the majority of the Opposition. It is now believed that Mr Griffiths will have a good working majority.