AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 42, 18 August 1893, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(TEB PBESS ASSOCIATION.) Sydney, August 17. A Military Tournament, which it is believed will be the best ever held in the colony, is being arranged for October 12th and 13th. The competition will be open to all colonies. Mr David Jones' large drapery estab-. lishment narrowly escaped destruction by fire to-day, but the promptitude of the fire department confined the flames to the basement. Considerable damage was done by smoke and water. Had the fire attained headway it would have resulted in the most destructive conflagration on record in this colony, as the building is situated in a block of large buildings. The insurance was L 126,000. Tho Commandant recommends various reductions bo made in tho pay in every department which would save £11,000 annually. Bbisiiaxe, August 17Owing to the manner in which the cable is stowed, the operations of laying the cable will begin from New Caledonia, and the steamer Francois Arago will sail for Noumea on Saturday. Hobabt, This Day. It was Sir W. Hamilton, ex-Governor of Tasmania, who consented to act as Agent-General at £500 per annum. Subsequently, however he declined owing to a fresh engagement made by him in England. Adkl.udk, This Day. Tho Legislative Council passed the Butter Bonus Bill, but inserted a now clause that the bonus should not be paid till the butter landed at its destination in a satisfactory condition.