AUSTRALIAN CABLES.

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 178, 28 January 1895, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN CABLES.

A DESTRUCTIVE FIRE. LABOUR TROUBLES. MORE RETRENCHMENT. AUSTRALIAN CONFERENCE. (PKB PBESP ASSOCIATION). Hobart, -January 26 The Ruapehu arrived last night and ■was to sail at six o'clock this morning for Wellington. She brings 19 passengers for Australia and 144 for New Zealand. A destructive fire broke out at Port Arthur during a gale. The Public Buildings, Model Prison, Government House, Hospital, and several private houses were destroyed. This Day. The Premiers of New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and West Australia, have arrived for the purpose of holding a conference. General Hutton and Commander Collins will act as military advisers to the conference. Sydney, January 20. The coasting ketch reported missing in the recent storm turned up safely. The barque City oil Adelaide, which left New York for Lytteltou on October 19, was spoken to on the 10th inst. in 46 south, 67 east. The weather for the Anniversary was wet, though the regatta was a great success. The international eighteen-footer sailing race was won by the Aries, of Sydney, defeating Queensland. The latter's representative, Baletina, won the champion twenty-two-footer. During a violent thunderstorm at the Murrumburrah, nine out of a team of 18 cattle were killed by lightning. The drovers had a narrow escape. This Day. At the annual conference of the Labor Electoral Leagues it was decided to add two plans to the platform, viz., compulsory arbitration, and that all public works should be carried out by the Government without the intervention of the contractor. Melbourne, January 27. Speaking at the Australasian Natives' Demonstration, the Attorney-General referred to the rejection of the Land Tax by the Legislative Council, and said the people of the colony would not allow a wast valuable portion of the wealth of the colony to go untaxed. The Bill, he said, would be ro-introduced, as there must be some change of constitution. The Government will re-introduce the Primage Repeal Bill next session, and it will come into operation in Jqne. At a rqeeting of American citizens it was decided to petition the American Congress to proceed with the Nicaragua Canal. This Day. The Board of enquiry into the defence Department has completed its work. It is understood they recommend a reduction to the extent of £'80,000, in the salaries and allowances. Mr A. Downward, member for Mornington, who was unseated on petition, has been re-elected. Ballarat is now lighted by electricity. Brisbane, January 27. The imports for the year are valued at £4,241,000, being an increase of £8,000 on previous years. The exports are £'8,836,000, showing a decrease of £•387,000. _______