AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 886, 17 February 1879, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(PER ALBION, AT THE BITJPF. Melbourne, February 11. Sir Archibald Michie, Agent-General, has announced his intention of returning to Melbourne. Pastor Chiniquy has arrived in Melbourne. The railway to Horsham was opened by the Governor on the sth inst. The Rev. Thomas Jones has, in consequence of failing health, recommended the Collins street Independent Church to find a successor. Signor Luigi Martinucci, Consul-General for Italy, died on the Gth inst., at his residence in East Melbourne. It is notified that Mr. O. M. Spence has been appointed Consul-General for the United States at Melbourne, with jurisdiction in Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand. The weather has been again very hot, and cases of sunstroke have been very numerous. Bush fires have been raging in all parts of the Colony. Near Colac a settler named Tumbull, his wife, and five children, were burned to death. The s.s. Kerangie was wrecked at 10 p.m. on Friday, near Cape Everard, during a dense fog. The second officer and four men were despatched in a boat by the captain to report the occurrence at Gabo Island, and arrived there on Sunday. The steamship Victoria has been sent to render what assistance may be required. There are four nominations for the vacancy in West Bourke, viz., Alfred Deakin (Government), Wm. Gaunson, Robert Harper (Opposition), and Thomas Elbridge. The election takes place on the 15th inst. Sydney, February 11. Despatches have been received intimating the inability of Russia and the Spanish Colonies to be represented at the Sydney Exhibition. Wangenheim, the well-known publican, is insolvent,

The estimates show a decrease of when compared with those of the Farrell Ministry. Adelaide, February 11.

There are extensive bush fires- at Middleton, Strathalbyn, Mount Pleasant, Echunga, and Mount Gambier. The Government intend having the Colony represented at the Sydney and Melbourne Exhibitions. Eafferty, a contractor, was burned to death in a bush fire north of Port Lincoln. A strike has been inaugurated by the ironworkers, in consequence of the employers requiring men to work nine hours a day. Bbisbaste, February 11. A gentleman named Hirst died from lockjaw, due to an omnibus driver's whip cutting his eye-ball. The Premier has been re-elected unopposed. Another case of small-pox has occurred on board the Somerset.

Captain Sykes and Mr. Hartley were speared by the blacks on the 6th inst., within five miles of Cooktown, and the former received dangerous injuries. The country is suffering from severe drought.