AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IX, Issue 13, 21 January 1885, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY.

(Per s.B. Waihora at the Bluff.) (CJNITKD PIIESS ASSOCIATION.) Melbourne, Jan. 13. A sharp shock ot earthquake was folt m Melbourne and the surrounding districts early on Sunday morning. • Two prisoners attempted 1 to escape from Pencr.'dgo ou Saturday by cutting holes m the ceilings of tlieir cells. The men, when captured, had a complete set of tools, also a rope and a change of clothing. How they obtained them is unknown. Some difficulty is experienced m fixing the date for the Conference of Premiers which Mr Service proposes should be held m Melbourne. Efforts are being made to bring about free-trade between Queensland and Victoria m the interest of .the Queensland sugar industry. ; Sydney, Jan. 13. The steamer Austral was visited by 20,000 people on Sunday. Three cases of smallpox have occurred at Balmain. The patients are a man named Franklyn and his son and daughter. They have been removed to the quarantine hospital. The other inmates of the house have been removed to the North Head Quarautiue Statiou. The disease is of a very severe type. Adelaide, Jan. 13. At the inquest held on the fire at the Academy of music it was stated that the cause of the fire was a defective gas light, which ought to have been looked to by the management. ' The dredging Department has deept ened the harbour of Port Adelaide to a depth «f 22ft at low water, and the channel has been widened from 430 ft to 700 ft. '"''•'',■ . Houabt, Jan. 13. The Tariff Commission, is to commence its sittings to-day, and will bo entertained at a banquet to-night by Mr J. G. Davies, Mayor of Hobart.