LATEST AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Kumara Times, Issue 2372, 5 April 1884, Page 2

LATEST AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

—— ♦ [REUTERS TELEGRAMS.] By Electric Telegraph. —Copyright. PORTFOLIO OF POSTMASTER. GENERAL, VICTORIA. THE WAIRARAPA AND ADELAIDE COLLISION. MORE MINISTERIAL CHANGES IN VICTORIA. WHEAT PRODUCE OF VICTORIA. QUEENSLAND REVENUE RETURNS (Received April 4, 2.20 p.m.) Melbourne, April 4, The Navigation Board inquiry into the alleged race between the steamers Wairarapa and Adelaide, in February last, will be commenced on Saturday. Rumours are current that the Hon. Graham Berry will shortly relinquish the portfolio of Postmaster-General, retaining only that of Chief Secretary. Arrived, this morning, the Union Company's steamship Wairarapa, from the Bluff. (Received April 5, 2.20 p.m.) April 5. Rumours are current that other proposed ministerial changes are expected, and that Mr Service, Premier, will relinquish the portfolio of Minister of Public Instruction, and it is slated to be probable that the Hon. William Campbell will join the Cabinet, also that the Hon. D. Gillies, Minister of Railways, will be transferred to the Department of Public Works. Further agricultural returns are published which give the yield of wheat in Victoria this season at 15,500,000 bushels. The average yield per acre thus remains at 1389 bushels. (Received April 4, 8.15 p.m.) Sydney, April 4. Sim v.i-rt of lain which for some time p:ist have beeu greatly needed have been experienced here, and the fall has been pretty general in the country districts. Brisbane, April 4. The revenue returns for the quarter ended 31st March, were published to- | day. The revenue for the quarter (

amounted to £590,000, beiug an increase of £34,500, coruprared with the corresponding period of last year. The land revenue for the three mouths shows a decrease of £37,500, but the receipts from all other sources have improved. >——< THE RAILWAY LOCOMOTIVE COLLISION AT LITTLE RIVER. FURTHER PARTICULARS OF THE CATASTROPHE. INQUEST ON THE BODIES. (Received April 4, 2.20 p.m.) Melbourne, April 4. The inquiry into the Little River railway collision commences on Saturday. Hickman Molesworth (County Court Judge) will act as president of the Court of Inquiry. (Received April 4, 8.15 a.m.) The second-class passenger who was killed at the Little River railway accident, has been identified as Mi-s Johnston, of South Melbourne. (Received April 5, 1 a.m.) Inquests were held to-day on the bodies of the victims of the Little River railway accident, but, in view of the strict investigation into the disaster which is about to be held here, the verdicts returned were merely of a formal nature.