AUSTRALIA.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2491, 15 March 1881, Page 3

AUSTRALIA.

[Eeuteb's Agency.] South Sea outrages. Sydney, March. 14. The schooner Leslie has arrived from the Solomon Islands, and reports that her master was murdered there by the natives, and that a rumor was current when she left that Captain Laurie, of the schooner Black Hawk, had also been murdered. A Water Famine. Hews from the Maribyrnong diggings states that the water there is exhausted and the population has shifted six miles. One man perished from exhaustion while proceeding to the field, and it is feared that great loss of life will take place unless rain falls. "No Place like Home.” Mr William Foster, the late AgentGeneral for New South Wales in London, returned here to-day. He met with a warm reception, and was presented by a Committee with a con. gratulatory address. Exhibition Awards. Melbourne, March 14. The following additional Exhibition awards have been made public;—First order of merit —Waddell, McLeod and Weir, Wellington, for hall doors ; Austin Kirk Co., Christchurch, for pottery; Oamaru Stone Company, for stone ; E. H. Banks, Christchurch, and W. and C. Moir, Southbrook, Canterbury, for pearl barley. Second order of merit—Guthrie and Larnach’s Company, Dunedin, for hall doors ; Halley and Ewing, Wellington, for doors; Stewart and Co., Wellington, for mantelshelf and doors; Ford and Ogden, Malvern Hills, Canterbury, for drain pipes, &c.; George Newberry, Wellington, for drain pipes; John Ellis, Southland, for stone; Charles O’Neill, Wellington, for flagging ; Fleming Grey and Co., Invercargill, and W. Irvine and Co., Palmerston, Otago, for oatmeal ; W. D. Wood, Christchurch, for semolina; Greig and Hunter, Christchurch, for stone. Hon. mention — William Wilson, Christchurch, for stone. The official declaration of awards will be made bn the 22nd inst.