LATEST AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Kumara Times, Issue 2896, 9 February 1886, Page 2

LATEST AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[REUTERS TELEGRAMS.] By Eleotiuc Telegkaph.— Copyright. — AMMONIA BOILER EXPLOSION AT BALLARAT ATTENDED WITH FATAL RESULTS. THE FRANCO-GERMAN NEW HEBRIDES QUESTION. THE BOARD OF CONCILIATION OX THE WHARF LABOURERS STRIKE. (Received February 8, 10 p.m.) Melbourne, February 8. A fatal boiler explosion is reported from Ballarat, The ammonia boiler at

the Ballarat ice-works burst and totally wrecked the building. One man and a boy were killed, and the proprietor of the factory now lies in an extremely critical condition.

A telegram from Mr Murray Smith, Agent-General for Victoria, has been received to-day by the Government. Mr Smith stated that, accompanied by Sir Francis Dillon Bell, Agent-General for New Zealand, and Mr Garrick, Agent-General for Queensland, he waited upon Sir Robert Herbert, Under-Secretary for the Colonies, with reference to the reported Franco-German arrangement respecting the occupation of New Hebrides. Sir Robert Herbert assured the Agenls-General that her Majesty’s Government would not consent to anything in connection with the disposal of those islands without consulting the colonies. Sir Saul Samuel, Agent-General for New South Wales, and Sir Arthur Blyth, AgentGeneral for South Australia, were not present at the interview, both abstaining from taking action pending the receipt of authority from their respective Governments.

(Received February 9,2 p.m.) February 9. The Board of Conciliation which was appointed to settle the difficulty between the wharf labourers and emploj'ers have arrived at a compromise by the casting vote of the chairman. A revision of the rates of pay has been agreed to, a small increase being made in some instances, and in others a slight reduction. (Received February 9, 2.30 p.m.) Later. The casualties occasioned by the explosion at the Ballaratlce Company’s works are even more serious than at first supposed, as several fresh cases of injury have come to light.