AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2199, 14 March 1881, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Bt Telegraph.) [Per s.s. Eotomahana, at the Bluff.] MELBOURNE, March 8. Tho Cerberus torpedo accident engrosses great consideration in Melbourne. It appears that the gig with a seventy-pound torpedo aboard, proceeded to make the last of a series of experiments. While the torpedo was being lowered into the water the wire entangled in the oar and the torpedo exploded, blowing three men to atoms. One survived a short time ; the fifth was killed immediately, but the body was recovered, while Jasper, the sixth man, miraculously escaped with a few bruises, Houston, of the torpedo corps, seeing Jasper struggling in the water, gallantly swam to his assistance, and at the risk of his own life was the means of bringing Jasper safe aboard the Cerberus. The cause of the accident is at present shrouded in mystery, but an enquiry will immediately bo held. Major Murray, the chief of the torpedo corps, suggested that the faulty construction of the torpedo with dynamite, end the exudation of nitre-glycerine, caused a premature explosion. One thing is perfectly clear, that there was no connection with the current of the battery and torpedo wire. The inquest on the bodies was commenced at Williamstown. Tho property of the late James Blackwood has been sworn at £99,000. The Australian Eleven will play a final match against Fifteen of Victoria, commencing on tho 18th. SYDNEY, March 8. Numbers of immigrants are arriving at Newcastle from Now Zealand in search of employment, A Colonial Sugar Company will shortly commence operations on the Rewa River, Fiji, and a steamer, with European workmen ami machinery, sailed on Saturday. ADELAIDE, March 8. A Melbourne company has commenced milk condensing at Mount Gambler. Negotiations are afoot for a coalition Ministry with the Opposition. Numerous fresh candidates are offering themselves. Mr Pilcher, the accountant of the English and Scottish Chartered Bank, is going to England, where he intends bringing before the Home capitalists the Transcontinental Railway scheme, the proposal being to start a company with six millions capital. Mr Pilcher believe* Government would give a concession of fifty-seven millions of acres or fifteen theusar dper mile. H 0 visit,however, is. quite unofficial.

TEETH, March 8. The first section of the railway connecting Freomantle with Guilford was opened by the Governor on March 2nd.