AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1822, 23 December 1879, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

SYDNEY, December 17. Noumea news states that the commission appointed to enquire into claims for compensation for losses sustained in the late revolt have furnished a report. The claims amounted to £IOO,OOO, which the commission reduced to £40,000. Reports from the agricultural districts of New South Wales state that the wheat harvest is very promising, but caterpillars are interfering with the hay and maize crops. John Bussell, of the firm of Russell and Co., is dead. All fruit in the Hunter district was destroyed by a heavy hailstorm. The railway from Wagga to Albury was opened to, within twenty miles of the "Victorian border. Four hundred and fifty thousand persons have visited the Exhibition. Stockowners are considering the advisability of establishing a dead meat market in Sydney with refrigerating appliances. The Electoral Bill, introduced by the Premier, provides 68 districts, returning 103 members. Insolvents will not be entitled to vote. On December 11th, sixteen convicts at New Caledonia, after throwing the surveillant guarding them into the water, without injuring him, proceeded on board the Government chartered schooner, attacked and seized the master. The black crew jumped overboard, and one succeeded in reaching the shore, and gave the alarm. The convicts made sail before a stiff breeze. A transport started in pursuit. A coaster had also previously started, and at dusk was in the runaway’s wake about three miles astern. The master subsequently returned on shore in a dingy, having been set adrift after the vessel was well clear of the harbor. The surveillant was tied in a punt by the convicts, but got loose and swam ashore. The schooner seized was full of provisions, and had some spirits, but little water. The escapees are of the worst class of convicts, condemned for lifetime. They were wearing irons. ADELAIDE, December 16. The Postmaster-General is advised that the Borne Telegraph Convention prohibits the use of secret language in press cable messages from Turkey. The border duties convention with Sydney is renewed on the existing terms. The trial of harvesters for the Government bonus of £4OOO takes place on December 17th at Qawler. There are thirty-one competitors. HOBART TOWN, December 17. The health of Sir James Wilson is im{proving. The prospects of the Pieman river goldfields are reported to be encouraging.