AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1421, 5 January 1885, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Per s.s. Te Anau, at the Bluff] Melbourne, December 30. Christmas festivities passed off with the usual rejoicings, the weither being beautifully tine. The pantomimes were in full awing and the theatres all ctowded. There was a narrow escape from a serious disaster on Boxing day. The steamer Black Eagle, with 130 persona on board, sprung a leak, and only got to rft Kilda pier shortly before the water extinguished too fires. The vessel sank within an hour afterwards. The number of passengers by railways on Christmas Day and Boxing Day was very large, fully 130 000 persona leaving the various stations in the city. The intercolonial cricket match has attracted a good attendance. The wicket was very fine and the acorts large.

The action of the Australian eleven in declining to play against Shaw's team here is generally condemned. Mr R. S, Smythe, the well-known theatrical agent, has returned here from a visit te Europe by the Messageries s.s Yarra. Among the passengers is also Monseignor Luck, Roman Catholic Bishop of Auckland.

A large shark was caught in the harbor, t contained a portion of the remains of ,wo men who were drowned while out

sailing. The question of the protest against the German annexation of New Guinea is largely occupying the attention of the colonies. New South Wales and South Australia have asked for fuller information regarding the proposed joint protest; while Queensland and Tasmania gave an unqualified agreement. The tone of the Press throughout the colonies is unani mously indignant at the action of the Colonial Office.

Sydney, December 30. A tremendous commotion was caused in the Romau Catholic Cathedral, Armidale, on Christmas morning. During the service, as Bishop Torrezziani was about to celebrate mass, a man named McOafferty, an Irishman, walked up the church with a sword in his hand, and when he got to the altar he raised the sword to strike the Bishop, but soma of the congregation prevented him. As they did so McOafferty fired at the Bishop with a revolver. The ball passed through the Bsshop’s vestments, but he kept cool and proceeded with his religious duties, McOafferty, who is believed to be mad, was arrested.