AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Kumara Times, Issue 1356, 4 February 1881, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

MEfcfedUßNfe, January 21. A bush fire between Windermere and Smythesdale destroyed £ 10,000 worth of property. Detective Ward denies Inafc Hart, who was arrested at Echuca-, is the brother of Steve Hart. Typhoid fever arid diphtheria are said to be prevalent at some parts of colony. The Navigation Board commenced an inquiry yesterday into the wreck of the Hereford. The principal evidence was given by the first and second officers, which went to show that on the night in question the wind kept shifting, and, «3 there was a heavy ground swell, it was impossible to get the ship round as she lost steerage way altogether. The captain Was charged with neglecting to use the deep sea line when near the reef. The Government of the United States has promptly recognised in a handsome manner the. efforts of the officers and crew of the steamer Dawn in rescuing the survivors from the wreck of the Eric the Red, and testimonials will arrive shortly. An accident occurred on Thursday in the Great Southern mine. Two men Were being lowered in the cage, when the clutch dram broke, rendering the engine powerless. The cage ran down with great velocity, and, two brothers* named Davik and Thos. Clap* perton, were killed. The railway pas<* given to the Chief Justice of Queensland, which had been specially sent him when he was invited to visit the Exhibition having beeu cancelled, His Honor sent a cheque to the railway department covering the amount of the journey. -£buis Perciru a restaurant keeper in Bourke street, has been fined £2O and costs for selling tickets for a sweepstake on the Champion Race. * January 26. H.M.S. Miranda, a new addition to the Australian squadron, arrived at Melbourne on Saturday, and replaces the Danse, which is ordered home. The Fhristerre, French war steamer, left Melbourne on 22nd, for a cruise to Tasmsmia. London telegrams state that the Antwerp wool sales opened with an average decline all round of 5 per cent. The Gulf of Finland steamer.of the Thames and Mersey line, left the Ea3t India docks on I.lth December for Australian ports. Other steamers of the same line will follow at regular intervals. The purchasers of the ! wreck of t'ie Hereford are availing themselves of thewreck of the present weather to rapidly get the cargo out of the ship. * Two steam tugs are busily employed, and 200 tons were brought to Melbourne in one day. Divers are required for further work. There are strong hopes of floating the vessel. The Steam Navigation Board held an inquiry yesterday, and briefly hearing the evidence decided that whilst the captain was guilty of error of judgment, he was not guilty, of wilful default. The certificate was consequently returned.

Sydney, January 26. The barque Cordillera, 843 tons-, frotii Sydney to Sari Francisco,'was wrecked yesterday at Gape Bowling A the Northern Australian 'coast Latest Samoa nSws states that the* schooner Active was totally wrecked" at Apia. The anti-King party are gaining headway against their opponents; Proceeding of Prrliamenfc 'are entirely . unimportant, and only of Ideal interest: Brisbane, January iH. A case of criminal libel, SkuthorpS v. the editor of the Western dhampionj was concluded on Thursday; The editor was committed- % trial at fchß April Session at Rbckliampton. It waS deposed that Skutliorpe had stated pulp licly that he had found the telescope; diary and compaqa of Leichardt riea£ Salt Creek, under a-cbplibad tree at Herbert River, and the relics hfe said were twenty inches..underground,, also that he got Classan's diary through {h.s ; formatioti received from the blacks. 4 January 2& A Mr Dupare write* to the Echo, reUU* tive to the prevailing incredulity about: Mr Skuthorpe's discovery tif jreiics, thai a mutiny occurred at Leichardt's catil|t while Ciassan was abseHfc Beekirbj water; Laicnaro'fc was struck down by.' one of his own, men, arid ultiihatety died from tb6 effect of thei blow in\ Clasaan'a care. The started* for the sdutb-weat with N most of thtf horses and equipments. The blacks ported that lie killed by ate ttibes. • '' ':"■■■'" ' ■ . TErtosl, January §£' i Some Victorian capitalists hav ; e n^acte; ari offer to the miners at Teniora ,{l^ if they will guarantee 200,000 loads©? dirt at ,5s a load they wddld placg jjjiii dling machinery on the lead, arid ,£joui water to the machines. , ,/, Windsor, Jamiary H. ■'%■ On Thursday, Mr Wall, a farmerioi Lower Hawksbury, was boat sailing with his two daughters, the eldest aged eighteen, when a sqrtall. upset. t|je,boa^ and all were drowned. The ; :tiodieff; were found, the father and youngest daughter clasped together.