AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Feilding Star, Volume XII, Issue 111, 12 March 1891, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

By Electric Telegraph. — Copyright JPER UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION, j Brisbane, March 11. A tropical disturbance has occurred in the districts north of Brisbane which wilJ probably travel towards the north cape of New Zealand. This Day. In consequence of- a general-' call out . ordered by the Central Council, large bodies of troops are being sent to the disturbed districts. -Sydney, March 10. The Postal Conference-, finished its sittings to-day. The Eastern Extension Company • announced that steps are being taken to find a safer route for the Port Darwin cables. McLean, the sculling champion, is willing to accept O'Connor's challenge, and row him either on the Parramatta or Nepean, allowing the Canadian- .£2OO for expenses. March 11. The Hon. JV G. Ward, PostmasterGeneral, has had several interviews with the South Australian and Tasmaniari Ministers in relation to reciprocation of New Zealand natural products. Ministers of both colonies favored the exchange of produce and expressed a desire to set negotiations brought about between the respective Governments and continued by means of correspondence. The proposals of reciprocity were also discussed with i the Victorian Postmaster- Gjneral, but he said that his Government were unfavorable to the proposal, and he could hold out no hope of reciprocity in natural products being brought about between Victoria and New Zealand. Steamers from the Various groups of Islands report tremendous gales. The ship Eiversdule was wrecked at the same spot as the Ayrshire, at Noumea. A vessel belonging to Fiji was wrecked on that group, and it is feared all lives were lost. This Day. Despite tne dullness of mining- business a purchaser has been found for the Tokatea. group of mines at CoromandGl, New Zealand, the sale was effected by Mr Whiteford, of Auckland. VI HiBOUBNE, This Day. Important changes are contemplated in the working of the Victorian railways. Ths Government have informed the CommisHioners that railways must be made to pay. Mklboubne, This Day. A man named Bourke has been sentenced to death for the.murder of afellow prisoner in the Hamilton Gaol. The trial of Johnston, late stock and station agent at Ballarat, for the ■ murder of his wife and four children, has been concluded. The jury brought in a Verdict of wilful murder against Johnston. Evi- . dence given during She trial showed thiafc.. Johnston, under great pressure, gave the manager of the bank at which he kept his account a cheque for £6800 in payment of certain liabilities, and it afterwards was discovered that the cheque was a forgery; but the friend whose name Johnston forged honored it..