AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1383, 18 November 1884, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Melbourne, November 11. A boiler explosion took placs at a tannery in Richmond. ; One man was killed and four dangerously injure!. The Spring Meeting of the Victorian Racing Club, brought to a close on Saturday, was the most successful ever held. The weather was perfect and the attendance far in excess of any previous year's. The Prince of Wales’ Birthday, celebrated yesterday, was characterised by the usual rejoicings. The principal attraction was a grand review of forces and a sham fight in which the militia and naval forces combined. There were also racing at Williamatown, a monster Salvation Army gathering, and the usual bay excursions. The protest lodged against Rufus for the Derby turns out not very serious, being for alleged wron» pedigree. If sustained, which is unlikely, it will not affect bets.

The Australian cricketers arrived early this morning in the Mirzipore. Owing to the early hour there was no demonstration of welcome. The only unpleasantness in connection with the V.R.O. meeting was occasioned by the Hon W. Pearson, M L C., owner of Commotion and Fryingpan, accusing Mr Barnard, the handicapper to the Club, of wilfully weighting Fryingpm out of a race. The Stewards called upon Pearson to apologise to Barnard. The victory of Commotion in the Canterbury Plate on Saturday was the most popular seen for a long time. The spectators cheered enthusiastic dly when ho weighed in, and even bookmakers who had lost their money) so far forget themselves as to swell the acclamations at his victory. The theatres wore doing good business during the racing time, ‘"Merry Duchess ” at the Princess, “Silver King” at the Royal, “Moths” at the Bijou, and “In the Ranks " at the Opera House being the principal attrac ions.

A number of new animals have arrived for the Zoological Gardena, but unfortunately the two moat* valuable—a tapir and a rhinoceros—died on the voyage.