AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 557, 31 March 1876, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

We take the following items from our Melbourne exchanges : The town of Murrurundi, in New South Wales, had a narrow escape from destruction on the Bth inst. About four o’clock on the morning of that day, relates the local paper, a wooden building used as a wine and spirit store by Mr Feriff, of the Commercial Hotel, was discovered to be on fire, and the alarm was quickly given to the sleeping inmates of the house. By the aid of a ready supply of water the flames were quickly extinguished, when an examination into the origin of the fire was made, which revealed a determined and diabolical act on the part of an incendiary. Over the whole front of the building kerosene oil had been freely poured, and a box of matches found lying on the ground immediately at hand confirmed the revolting suspicion. The building being an old one, well stocked with wines and spirits, and attached to others equally ignitable, a delay of five minutes longer would have resulted in terrible consequences. So careful had been the completion of the dastardly plot, that a gate connecting the building with the hotel had been saturated with kerosene to ensure the rapid passage of the fire. By travelling a few feet the flames would have caught the enginehouse, sent a seething flood of ignited spirits into the neighbouring premises, when nothing under heaven could have saved the entire street. And this devilish design to be planned against a slumbering household. An inquiry was held before the coroner of the district, when a verdict of wilful and malicious incendiarism was returned, and a rider added to the effect that the Government ought to be petitioned to offer a reward for the apprehension of the party, in addition to a reward from private sources. The Chevalier Bruno, who some years ago was granted 5000 acres of laud near Glenrowan, in the Wangaratta district, for sericultural purposes, proposes (states the Ovens and Murray Advertiser ) to establish a company, to be called the Italian and Victorian Sericultural Farm Company, to work the property. It is intended to form a vast plantation of mulberry and olive trees, and to purchase enough seed to start a large magnanerie. The capital of the company will be £IO,OOO in 5000 shares of £2 each. The prospectus further states—“ Another source of income, which will also be exceedingly remunerative, will be 3500 acres reserved by Government for grazing, the land being the best in the colony for such purposes.” It is stated that Mr N. J. Casey is solicitor to the company, and Chevalier Bruno manager. With respect to the Norfolk rush the Talbot Leader writes :—“ It is now prove! beyond a doubt that there are two distinct runs of gold, trending in a southerly direction. The gold obtained on each of the tributaries has been traced to within 240 ft of private property. Several nuggets, varying from 2oz to 15oz, have been unearthed during the past week, besides average returns from many other claims. It has yet to be proved whether the two tributaries already proved will run into a main lead, long supposed to trend east and west towards the Hoffaung and other claims. The shanties appear to be doing a brisk trade, and the miners generally express an opinion that were it not for the private property interest some 3000 men would be at present on the ground sinking. For several days during the past week the men have been unable to go below owing to foul air. In many of the claims those who did venture to work without the aid of the calico windsails were compelled to beat a hasty retreat, A small rush has set in to Mount Glasgow, where gold was discovered twelve mouths ago.” The board of inquiry into the charges against Mr Brough Smyth resumed its sittings yesterday, says the Argus of the 15th, when the case for the officers was concluded, and Mr Smyth’s defence entered upon. Mr Smyth, before being examined—but after he was sworn —read a general statement, in which he detailed the difficulties he had to encounter in organising the mining department; and in regard to the charges of harsh treatment to his officers, he stated that throughout his aim had been to to manage the department exactly as a bank or a large commercial establishment is managed, and in this endeavour he had preferred the interests of the public to those of the officers of the department. 11 When his officers were negligent in the performance of their duties, he sought by persuasion to induce them to be careful. If persuasion was useless, he remonstrated with them, rebuked them, and sometimes in language perhaps that might be considered harsh, but he had never entertained unfriendly feelings towards them, nor indeed sought anything but their welfare.” In regard to the charge of presenting a false return to Parliament, Mr Smyth accused the petitioners of preferring that charge against him, and allowing it to go forth throughout the length and breadth of the land, while they knew all along that there was not a shadow of foundation for such a charge. Mr George Cowie, for many years the assistant-inspector of the Union Bank of Australia in the Australian colonies and New Zealand, has been appointed manager of the Union Bank in Sydney. With reference to the settling on the V, R. C. Autumn Meeting, the Argus says: — “A few of the bookmakers whosaved Richmond all through are considerable winners, but the rest of the ring have lost heavily. Nearly all the doubles were picked throughout the meeting. The meeting has been a favorable one for the backers of horses.

The sale of thoroughbred horses held at the Pastoral Hotel, on the 13th instant, was a great failure, the greater portion of the horses being bought in. Goldsbrough was passed in at 2500 guineas, Melbourne at SCO guineas, and Richmond at 3000 guineas. For stock of moderate quality there were scarcely any buyers.

A very distressing case of accidental poisoning occurred at Mr S. M'Oaughey’a Cooning Station, Riverina, on the Bth inst., the victim being Mr G. Blunt, jun,, licensed surveyor. The Wagga Wagga Express relates that “ Mr Blunt, with his wife, came to the station the previous evening. In the morning he felt unwell, and obtained from the housekeeper, who had but recently come up from Melbourne, what was supposed to be some Epsom salts, but which proved to be strychnine. It was found by the housekeeper in a match box upon the wall plate of the kitchen, where it appears it had be m left some years ago by one of the station hands, who had been engaged in laying poisoned bait for hawks. Mr Blunt, upon taking the supposed salts, remarked that the taste was unpleasant, and shortly afterwards went into breakfast, this being shortly after seven o'clock. When at breakfast he was

attacked by all the symptoms of poisoning by strychnine. Antidotes were administered; but without avail, and the unfortunate gentleman expired within an hour and a half of the time of taking the prison. Mr Blunt was a son of the senior partner in the well known firm of railway contractors, Messrs Blunt and Williams, and was only twenty-seven years of age. The very distressing circumstances of the case are heightened by the fact that he has but recently returned to the district after his marriage, which occurred only six weeks ago. A magisterial inquiry was held at Urana, and a verdict was returned that death was caused through taking strychnine in mistake for Epsom salts.” Clunes was visited by a heavy thunderstorm, accompanied with vivid lightning and heavy rain, on Saturday night and Sunday, the 11th and 12th, considerable damage was done to buildings in various parts of the town. The storeroom of the New North Clunes Company had a narrow escape from being destroyed by fire. Thanks to the promptitude with which the flames were extinguished a large conflagration was prevented, for the spot is surrounded by buildings and mining timber. The only way for accounting for the fire is that the building was struck by lightning. Mr John Lewis, mining manager, had a narrow escape of losing his eyesight by an explosion of sodium amalgam, a small jar of which was in the office. Mr Lewis is so injured about the face that a fortnight must elapse before he can resume his duties. In Bath street, the residence of Mr Joshua Pitcher was struck. The chimney was shivered and fell through the roof. Two children in the room had a narrow escape of being killed. “ On the Ist instant.” writes the Border Post, “ the vintage commenced at the Murray Valley Vineyard, and sufficient quantities of grapes were plucked for the manufacture of 4000 gallons of champagne. The varieties plucked are the aucarot, piueau, and shiraz. We may observe that active preparations are being made on the plantation for the general vintage, which will be commenced on Monday, the 27th instant. A large press-house, 60ft by 36ft, of lofty proportions, has been added to the existing buildings, in which six new presses, constructed under Fallon’s patent, will be placed. There are ten additional men employed now, and when the time of general vintage arrives employment will be given to thirty other hands. The yield of the present season will be a fair average, and will run up to that of last year. Mr Cuiley, the manager, states that the reisling will be better—more abundant and luscious —than the crop of last year, and as there are fifty acres of it in the vineyard, then there will be more wine turned out than in 1875. The aucarot will run 400 gal to the acre ; pineau will give an equal number of gallons, and the shiraz will also yield well.” Mr Angus Mackay, [the commissioner for Queensland at the Philadelphia Exhibition, has forwarded an interesting report of his proceedings to the end of January. Since his arrival in San Francisco he has been busily occupied visiting the works and factories, and he has met with great attention. He has had interviews with the leading men, and sends specifications and details concerning the narrow gauge railways, the cost of construction, &o, and he considers them most applicable to the inland districts of the colonies, costing, as they do, only about £3,000 per mile. He has also seen several bridge works peculiarly suitable to the colony, and furnishes particulars of abridge over San Lorenzo, Santa Cruz, costing £3700, and being 780 ft long, with three spans on the truss principle, and built of timber. The press of California has given the efforts of Queensland to make the two countries better acquainted a hearty welcome. Exhibits consisting of products of Queensland are lodged among the public institutions of San Francisco, and are attracting much attention. Mr Mackay’s next visit will be to the mining districts, to witness the system of hydraulic mining. A meeting of gentlemen desirous of establishing a fresh and sea water aquarium on the principle successfully carried out at London and Brighton, England, and in different cities elsewhere, was held yesterday in the City Council Chamber. The Mayor, who presided, stated that Major Heath, who had just come from England, and was satisfied of the feasibility of the scheme, had initiated the movement here, and was ready to suggest a proposal. Major Heath then read a draft prospectus for a company having a capital of £IO,OOO in shares of £1 each. If the company were established, it was proposed to form an aquarium on the north bank of the Tarra, near the Corporation Baths ; and also to form a summer and winter garden as a place of popular resort. Major Heath went into figures at some length to show that the company would be a financial success. It was resolved, on the motion of the Mayor, seconded by Mr Buckhurst, of Emerald Hill, to entertain the proposition favorably, and, after some discussion, the Mayor, Dr Heath, Messrs Hopkins, M.L.A., Buckhurst, J. A. Panton, Garratt, M.L.A., D. E. Hunt, W. N. Farmer, and Dr Blair were appointed a committee to make inquiries and preliminary arrangements. The Mayor having intimated that the committee could always have the use of a room in the Town Hall, a vote of thanks to that gentleman terminated the proceedings. An extraordinary instance of self-mutila-tion, dictated apparently by religious mania, occurred on March 9th in Messrs Solomon and Co’s furniture factory, corner of Swanston and Lonsdale streets. Between 8 and 9 o’clock in the morning a cabinetmaker in that establishment named George Brskine, about thirty-five years old, unmarried, walked from his work at the lower end of the room to another part, where there was a small circular saw driven by steam power whirling round at the rate of 160 revolutions a minute. The saw came out through a slit in a bench, and anything to be sawn was laid against the edge of the saw. Erskine deliberately put his wrist against this saw, which in a second cut through bone, flesh, and sinew, leaving the man’s right hand hanging to the arm by a strip of skin. The other workmen ran up and carried Erskine at once to the Melbourne Hospital, just across the road, where the bleeding was stopped in time, and other necessary steps having been taken, he was admitted an inpatient. Erskine was a steady quiet man, but had evidently become at any rate temporarily deranged. When asked why he had cut his hand off, he replied, “ the Scripture says, ‘lf thy right hand offend thee, cut it off and cast it from thee,’” Ac, and added that his right hand having offended him, he had accordingly cut it off. In his pocket was found a Bible well thumbed at the “ Sermon on the Mount,” in which the passage he quoted occurs.

The Treasurer on March Bth presented to Parliament a statement of expenditn e under schedule D for the year 1874 6. The appropriation for the Governor’s salary w; s £IO,OOO, but owing to vice-rogal changes ti e colony saved the munificent sum of—one penny, the amount actually expended being £9999 19s lid. The sufferer was Sir Redmond Barry, who, for his nine days’ tenure of office, from Ist to 10th January, received the uneven amount of £147 16s lid. Sir George Bowen, whilst on leave, received payment at the rate of £4500 per annum. Sir William Stawell, as Administrator of the Government, received payment at the rate of £5500 per annum. The amount appropriated under this schedule for judges' salaries was £12,000, the amount expended £11,500, showing a saving of £soo—though how effected is not made clea r . The amount appropriated for responsible Ministers was £14.000, with £l2O additional arrears to Minister of Mines. The amount expended was £13,875. Under the Francis administration, the distribution was Chief Secretary, £2000 ; Treasurer, AttorneyGeneral, Minister of Lands, £I6OO a year ; Solicitor - General, £ISOO ; Minister of Mines, £1440 ; Commissioner of Public Works, Commissioner of Customs, Commissioner of Railways, £l4lO. Under the Kerferd Administration, the Attorney General and Premier received £2040, and a few other slight alterations were made. On the appropriation for clerk and expenses of Executive Council a saving of £695 19s 2d was effected, and on Legislative Council a saving of £ll6O 0s Id. Mr B, B. Williams, late puisne judge, received a pension of £>soo, and Mr H. C. E, Childers a pension of £866 13s 4d. In pensions to retired responsible Ministers, the amount expended was £2OOO, the recipients being Mr R, D. Ireland and Sir O. G. Duffy. Out of the appropriation for public worship £50,000, the amount expended was £41,304 IBs 6d.

The first step towards the construction of the new Academv of Music in Melbourne has been taken. The work of removing the buildings now occupying the site on which the academy will stand has been commenced. Tenders are about to be called for the erection of the new buildings, which are expected to be completed by the end of October next.

Shortly after 12 o’clock on the Bth, the firebell at Geelong sounded the alarm. The fire was discovered to be in the Rosemary Branch Hotel, where it was first noticed by a person who observed fire in one of the back rooms. The Town Brigade, Newtown Brigade, and Salvage Corps, and Victorian Factory Brigade were promptly in attendance, but it unfortunately happened that the Water Supply department was laying on water pipes in that part of the town, and the supply of water had been cut off from the main. It was three quarters of an hour before a supply could be obtained. Meantime, the hotel had been completely burnt, and the fire had spread to other houses, although every effort was made by pulling down fences and removing inflammable material to prevent its progress. The hotel, outhouses, and stables belonging to the owner and occupier, Mr T. Lockwood, were uninsured, the policy having lapsed on the 14th of the last month, owing, it is stated, to Mr Lockwood’s illness. The flames then spread to a cottage in a lane adjoining the hotel, owned by Mr Nott, and occupied by Miss Atkinson, which was destroyed. The house was insured for £IOO in the London and Lancashire Insurance Company. Two cottages belonging to Mr Clarke next fell a prey to the devouring element, These were insured for £SO each in the Liverpool and London and Globe Insurance Company. On the other side of the lane three cottages belonging to Mr W, Upton were damaged to the extent of £l5O, the amount for which they were insured in the Liverpool and London and Globe Company. A stone house belonging to Mr Upton was also scorched. The extensive soap works of Mr Upton, in close proximity, were for some time in great danger, but when the supply of water was fully obtained the flames were subjugated, and the spread of the fire prevented. It was reckoned that about 3000 persons were on the ground. But little of the furniture in the hotel was saved, but a considerable portion of that in the cottages was removed in time. The conduct of the department in turning off the water from Little Myers street to South Geelong for two or three hours was strongly commented upon. The amount for which the cottages were insured will not cover anything like the loss sustained. The origin of the fire is not known, but it is stated that a flue in the hotel was defective, and had many times caused the roof to take fire.