Australian Cables.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 4 February 1914, Page 3

Australian Cables.

I ELECTJtIC TELEGRAPH —COPYKIGHT. |I'EK I'IIKSS ASSOCIATION.i STORY. OF A IU'KiNED SHIP. (Received 'i'Ji|s Day iS.SO a.m.) Sydney, l'his Duy. ' ihe American mail steamer has brought details of the burning at sea of the .British barque Battle Abbey, while on a voyage to Vancouver coal ■laden. The barque Eilbik landed the captain, his wife, two daughters, and sixteen officers and crew of the Battle Abbey at Oregon. The Battle Abbey left Newcastle on October liSth, and when threeweeks out a fire was discovered in the coal holds. It spread rapidly, and after three, days' fighting , , when an explosion seemed imminent, it was decided to abandon the vessel. The weather was rough and the first, two boats were smashed in launching. All aboard got away safely in the third and last boat. From Wednesday morning , till Friday evening they were tossed about on the stormy sea, and thoroughly drenched, but had plenty of food and water. They then sighted the Eilbik ami were taken aboard. The captain declared that the Battle Abbey was surely blown up as she was smoking , fore and aft, and gas was generating fast when they abandoned the- vessel. "A JOLLY GOOD FELLOW.'" Brisbane, This Day. A meeting , of the National Executive of the Queensland Farmers' Union resolved to cable to the South African (Tovernment its approval of the splendid handling , of the strike in the interests of law and order. The gathering expressed strong , approval of Geneva 1 Botha's methods. The resolution was earned to the* singing of "For He's a -Tolly Good Fellow." EARL GREY. Sydney, Tliis Day. Countess Grey is accompanying Earl Grey. MEDICAL CONGRESS. Dr. Paton, Sydney's Chief Health Officer is amongst those attending, the Auckland Medical Congress. "KEEP TO THE'LEFT." A new street regulation has been adopted prescribing , pedestrians to keep to the left. The old "Keep to the i'ight" signs have been removed.