Australian Summary.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 265, 14 May 1896, Page 2

Australian Summary.

ATTEMPT TO POISON A FAMUjY. A LIVELY TOWNSHIP. (Per Press Association.) Melbourne, May 10. The fire aboard the Ellen Read calls to mind the fact that since 1880 to the end of 1895, 24 coal laden foreignbound ships f roun Newcastle have been declared as lost or missing, resulting in the loss of 450 lives. Viewed in the light of the frequent discoveries of heated cargoes during the past month or so, it is not too much to sur- :~ mise that the crews perished by the dread enemy fire, or perhaps by a more merciful explosion. The subject calls for the closest scientific investigation. The sensation of the week was the poisoning of four children named Whiffen by means of candy, with which arsenic had been incorporated. How the candy found its way into the house, one of the children having, picked it off the kitchen table, is baffling the police. The children have recovered, although one is still in a serious condition. This is apparently c the second attempt to poison the same family. In the last instance a packet . of cocoa found its way into the house, and is supposed to have contained poison. Yet another thoroughbred is to proceed to England. Maluma, sister . to Malvolio, has been sold in England for lOOOgs. The daughter of Malaa leaves to day, and may probably race in the Old Country before going to the stud. Perth, May 10. Government contemplate improving the Telegraph service by importing officers from England. It is said the Agent-General will despatch ten by every mail steamer until the service is thoroughly manned. The idea in bringing men from Home is, that the. Morse code in use in England coincides with the West Australian system, and the men will, therefore, have less to learn than operators from the other colonies. Niagara, near Menzie's, is a mining township Jikely to come into unsavory notoriety if better police protectioh is not provided. At times mobs of roughs take possession of the town. Judge" Lynch tried to assert himself a few days ago. In a mclde a barmaid; was struck with a bottle. -Infuriated men, captured the assailant and put a rope round his neck, but the treeless West : failed to provide a suitable place to fix the rope to, and they proceeded to kick him to death. The man's life was only saved through his feigning death.