LATE CABLE NEWS.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2465, 1 March 1882, Page 3

LATE CABLE NEWS.

HBr Telehbaph.J

[Per B.s. Zealaodia at Auckland.} MELBOURNE, February 20. The Minister of Mines and Water Supply proceeded to Loddon district to inquire into the most effectual means of relieving the water famine. The City Surveyor has completed the plan of the underground 'drain for Elizabeth street. It will cost .£49,000, and the work will occupy twelve months. The health officer at the quarantine ground recommends the release of the fever convalescents. The railway department arranged a train to carry 11,000 gallons of water daily from Sandhurst to Widderbcrn to relieve the selectors in the district. The Customs authorities made a further seizure of contraband spirits and cigars from the Chinese at Percydal, Avoca. The Melbourne Hospital committee have resolved to rednce the beds by seventy and largely increase the cubic space per patient. The tariff commission urged intercolonial free trade in oolonial wine, and condemned the duty on agricultural implements and cornsacks. SYDNEY/, February 20. During the Hilburn Creek trial on the 21st counsel for the defence endeavored to get the Judge to prohibit the publication of the evidence before the conclusion of the case. His Honor declined to accede to the proposal. Dr. Bichard Kranel is appointed ConsulGen eral for Germany and all the Australian colonies, including New Zealand, Tasmania and Fiji, with residence in Sydney. The Government resolved to erect a new powder magazine on an island in the Paramatta river. The latest report from the Sanatorium states that the Creagley family are progressing well, and that the critical stage is passed. The other convalescents are rapidly gaining strength. The coal business of Newcastle is unusually prosperous, but it is feared the dispute with the A. A. Company's men will culminate in a strike, throwing 900 men out of employment. A man was f ound dead in the gutter in Caitlereaghon the night of the 22nd. There were no signs of violence, nor anything to prove the identity of the deceased. PEBTH, February 23. A quantity of wreckage waß washed into Coventry Beef Harbor. A bout proceeded to search for any vessel in distress. Fresh pearling grounds have been discovered on a reef near Fort Wallcott. Five boats took twelve tons of shell each dnrina two days. ADELAIDE, February 23. Many country towns are suffering severely from the want of water, and it has to be cartod several miles.

Beven typhoid patients are cow in hospital. They are mostly city cases. The cause is believed to be bad drainage. BEISBANE, February 23. A boat containing eight men capsized at Flat Top Island. It was in charge of Baynes, supervisor of works. Three men, in attempting to reach the island, were drowned. Heavy rains are reported at Cooktown, Brisbane, Gympie, and Banata. The Australian Syndicate survey party arrived by the Morven, and state the country is looking well after the rain.

Colonel Scratchloy, with a lscal committee of military men, commences an inquiry into volunteer matters shortly.