AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Feilding Star, Volume X, Issue 72, 15 December 1888, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

By Electric Telegraph.— Copyright. |.»KR i/MITKD PKESS ASSOCIATION. < Sydney, December 13. Light rains have fallen in the district south of Jeryiß Bay extending inland some distance, otherwise it is fine in this colony. It is raining at Adelaide, but the weather reports show that it is generally fine elsewhere. A heavy thunderstorm, accompanied by rain, occurred to-night, extending far inland. Light showerß have fallen at Wilcannia. Mrs Collins, condemned to death for the murder of her husband, will be executed on January Bth. December 14. An exciting debate took place in the Assembly last night on the question of leasing the city tramways, John Haynes, member fur Mudgee, stated that Hankey, auctioneer, one of the promoters of the company leasing the tramways, offered him a thousand pounds and fifteen hundred shares in the company if he would vote iv favor of leasing the property. Wall, member for Mudgee. said he had been informed that shares were reseryed for other members who should vote for the proposal. On the motion of the Premier, Hankey, who was present was summoned to the bar of the House and upon being called upon to make an explanation said the statement made by Haynes was pure fabrication. The debate was thereupon resumed and upon a division the proposal to lease the tramways was negatived by fifty -six to twenty - eight. Sailors are so scarce in Newcastle that crimping is beooming notoriously common, and it is unsafe for labourers to be found drunk in the streets, as they run tbe risk of finding themselves shipped off to a foreign port before they become sober. Hobabt, December 14. The crops of oats aud barley seem beyond hope, and the potatoes are very poor. Some of the crops in the northern districts are holding out, while others are past recovery. Feed is very scarce, and the prospects of stock are very bad. [Note. —This, item was received under the heading of Hobart. it refers probably to Victoria or South Australia.) Bbisbanb, December 13. The steamer Eurimbla, bound to Rockhampton from Brisbane, struck heavily on a reef at Burnett Head. The passengers were got ashore in safety. December 14. The steamer Eurimbala which struck on a reef afc Burnett Heads, has floated off and was safely beached. The weather is abnormally hot here, the thermometer registering 122 in the Bhade.