ADDITIONAL AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2238, 20 May 1880, Page 2

ADDITIONAL AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(By Telegraph.) VICTORIA. A shocking accident occurred at Talbot on the 9th inst. Richardson, an old and much respected resident, while saying good-bye to a friend leaving by train, fell between the platform and foot-board. The body was dragged a mile and a half, and was mutilated beyond recognition. The accident was unnoticed by the guard or the driver. The Temperance Societies have decided to hold a grand demonstration in Melboure during the Exhibition. The Hon. W. Clark has promised his patronage and assistance to the scheme for sending Victorian ploughmen to compete in England. A trial of the competitors will take place shortly. The Cabinet having considered the petition to release David Henry, imprisoned for embracery, decided to advise the Government not to interfere. The barque Vrienden, from Java, arrived at QueensclUf on the Bth, with a disease called beriberi aboard. Three deaths occurred on the voyage, and three more on the 9th. Seven further cases are in the hospital, and two of the men are still in a very precarious state. Competition for passengers to Sydney and Adelaide by sea is very keen, and passages have been greatly reduced. The Orient steamer Cotapaxi, now en route to Australia, is fitted with refrigerating machinery. NEW SOUTH WALES. Sir 11. Parkes has stated that the coal companies not having applied for leave to bring out immigrant miners, the Agent-General has been instructed not to accept such immigrants. Dibbs, the defendant in Shepherd v. Dibbs, who was arrested for the nonpayment of costs, ami is now incarcerated pending payment, has stated ho intends to remain in gaol for 12 months rather than comply. Intelligence has been received from Noumea of the total wreck of the Sarah Dreyfus on Cook’s reef. The captain and crew were saved. The vessel was insured for £SOO in the New Zealand Company, and £SOO in the National Insurance Company of New Zealand. A Noumea telegram states that two whites and seven natives who were capsized in a boat goingto the wreck of the Sea Shell held on to a buoy all night. Four of the Natives swam ashore. The whites were picked up, but three natives were drowned. Thirty-seven Chinamen were arrested

on the 9th inst.' while gambling at the game of Fan-Tan. , ■ It has been decided to hang Albert, the aboriginal who murdered another aboriginal named Dubbo. ;