AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Kumara Times, Issue 1370, 21 February 1881, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Adelaide, February A smithy at Weaidla was burned down on Saturday UUdek 1 vfery sUspieious circumstances. The owner, named Freeman, was away at the time getting married. On his return he found his place burned down, and robbed of a considerable sum of moneys A pbrsoU who is known to the police is hlispected) and it is stated very strong evidence will be forthcoming at the inquest. February 9. Mr J. B. Laurie, of Sandringham station, Mulligan River, Queensland) who arrived in Adelaide to-day, throws discredit on Mr Skuthorpe’a story of the Leichardt relics. Sandringham is near the country in which the relics are supposed to have been discovered. A case of intimidation of a seaman j which created some interest, was heard at the Port Adelaide Police Court to. day. Four seamen shipped on boat'd the Lapwing, for the Cape, under arate approyed by the Seamen’s Union. One of them, named Zeasiug, had bis . box on board, which was forcibly seized by Union men and taken to a lodginghouse kept by W. H, Barnett. An action was brought against Barnett foiS being in unlawful possession of the box, but the evidence did not support the information. Barnett was theil tried for having had possession of the seaman’s effects, and refusing to de J liver them when * demanded. The fence was that the sum of ,£1 was due for board and lodging j but the Bench considered the claim an attempt at extortion, and fined Barnett £lO. Several robberies have taken place in Palmerston lately. It is generally supposed they have been committed by a gang of Chinese thieves.