AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2317, 7 September 1881, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

[By Telegraph.] [Per B.s. Wakatipu at Wellington.] MELBOURNE, August 31. The proposed reduction o f rates in the Tasmanian cable messages does not meet with the approval of the Tasmanian Government. The latter would accept the offer if Victoria contributed .£I2OO instead of £6OO. The Tasmanians are willing to join in the duplication of thecable, bearing their quota of the coat, provided that tho New Zealand-Tasmania cables were made matters of Australian concern. In consequence of the high figure demanded for the Ferret the Government has abandoned tho intention of purchasing her. The Cabinet decided to recommend Parliament to vote a sum for the purchase of a suitable steamer in England. James Kelly, brother of Ned the bushranger, has been arrested for horse stealing. Under Kelly’s pillow the police fonnd a six-chamber revolver, capped and loaded. He was brought before the Court at Charlton charged with horse stealing and carrying unlawful weapons, and remanded for a week. The Government have received a cablegram from the Secretary of State, intimating that the Reform Bill has received her Majesty’s assent. SYDNEY, August 31. Smallpox is steadily increasing, despite the efforts of the authorities and medical men. There are now 120 persons employed in quarantine duty. Owing to the spread of the disease it has been found necessary to swear in additional special constables, of whom seventy are now employed. Tho following particulars in reference to the action of the Government in attempting to suppress smallpox were referred to by the Treasurer in the Assembly last night:—Number of houses quarantined to August 30th, 38 ; number disinfected, soon to be released, 14; released, 9 ; persona sent to quarantine sick, 36 Europeans, 2 Chinese ; well, 37 Europeans, 13 Chinese; returned from quarantine, 37 Europeans, 8 Chinese ; left, 10 Europeans, 3 Chinese; sick on board the Faraway (all convalescent except Lindsay), 6 Europeans, 2 Chinese ; sick in hospital, 10 ;_ convalescent, 7 ; progressing favorably and likely to be convalescent, 8. Deaths in Sydney, 3; at the station, 9. A number of patients wore released from quarantine on Friday. When tho women arrived in Sydney they had no underclothing or shoes; their clothes had been destroyed and never replaced. The affair caused a deep sensation. ADELAIDE, August 31. The steamer Enro, bound to Eastern coasting ports with passengers and cargo, was totally wrecked on Wednesday near Beach Point. All the passengers and crew were landed, except Miss Gould, who is supposed to have been drowned. . At a meeting of the Gas Company, the chairman, Sir Henry Ayers, deprecated the action of some shareholders in selling stock on aceonnt of the electric light. The scare was denounced, as gas would bo generally used for illuminating and heating purposes. Mr Joseph Smith, of the firm of Russell and Company, contractors, was nearly murdered at Bruce on Thursday. On his way from the Post-office to the camp he was knocked down by two men. One held his legs while tho ether cut his throat. The robbers took nearly £BO. Smith was fonnd on Friday and brought to Wilmington. BRISBANE, August 31. A new steamship company has been registered in England to work the Queensland coasting trade, and afford quick transit of mails between Brisbane and Cooktown. in conjunction with the British India Company.