AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Kumara Times, Issue 1110, 21 April 1880, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Per s.s. Te Anau, via the Bluff.]

Telegraphic signals have been exchanged between Melbourne and Singapore direct. The signals were perfect, and the replies instantaneous. Archdeacon Times, of Hamilton (Victoria), died from diphtheria on the 9th inst. About a dozen other persons were also attacked, all of whom had been at a Sunday School picnic at Hamilton. One child has since died.

The racehorse Javohmdcr was bought at Sydney, by T. Jat'-dyne, for New Zealand ; price 200 guineas. The passage of the Pacific Si earn Navigation Company's steamer Sorata, which is working under the Orient flag is (says the Melbourne Age) the fastest on record, beating the celebrated passage of the Company's steamship Lusitania, which 40 days 7 hours, including 31 hours detention at St. Vincent, but allowing for difference ot time", between the two places. The passage of the Sorata has been, allowing for the difference of time, 40 clays 3 hours and a half, including 55 hours 10 minutes' detention at Cape St. Vincent, Table Bay, Glenelg, neither of which latter places the Lusitania called at. Thus the Sorata was at sea 37 days 29 hours 20 minutes. The ship, however is a noted fast steamer, and a very comfortable sea going vessel, as testified to by the passengers in an address to her commander.

Donald Land, leader of a private prospecting party arrived at Cook Town, Queensland, and reports that lie proceeded to the Gulf Water Shed, where he found a splendid auriferous working country near the River Sefton. Good prospects were obtained. Expected others to proceed there shortly. Mr Jack, Government Geologist, and party, have arrived, and report, having made no discovery of auriferous country. A desert sandstone covered the country the whole distance. The party was attacked by blacks on March 9tli near Cape Granville, but succeeded in dispersing them* During the second attack, at nightj Jack was speared through the right side of the neck, but courageously cut the spear out immediately. They expected the camp would be attacked, but the blacks retired owing probably to their reception. Jack's wound is almost healed ; nevertheless, he had a narrow escape. The. South Australia Commisioner of Crown Lands, and the Surveyor General, have started for Wilcannia to decide upon the best overland route from New South Wales to Adelaide;