AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 28, 16 January 1912, Page 6

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

A NOVEL SUGGESTION

Sydney, January 15. A suggestion is made that the let-ter-writers of the Commonwealth subscribe a penny each towards a fund to recognise Mr. Henniker Heaton’s efforts in the establishment of penny postage..

COMMUNICATION INTERRUPTED. Sydney, January 15. Storms are raging in the country districts, and telegraphic communication is badly interrupted. HEAT AND BUSH FIRES. Sydney, January 15. The temperature is 102.9 deg., a record for two years. (Received 16, 8.30 a.m.) Sydney, January 16. i As a result of heat and bush fires in many districts, there is much damage. 1 TERRIFIC WEATHER. Sydney, January 10. The Union Company’s Taviuni has arrived from Samoa. She encountered terrific weather, and her boats were carried away. The deck fittings were smashed and carried overboard. The hurricane is the worst that' has visited the islands for many years. THE TATHRA WRECK.

Sydney, January 15. Mr. King, Resident Commissioner for the New Hebrides, has cabled the Navigation Department that the steamer Tathra 'has foundered at sea, and that twenty-four lives were lost, including'Chief Engineer Russell,Chief Steward Wilcox, and a passenger named Ixer. . ■ i ■ Burns, Philp and Co. ,have received, a message stating that the steamer Malaita picked up a ‘lifeboat with thirty-eight survivors of the TatJisra, including the master and officers. There are no further details of the missing party, or how they wore lost. LOAN FOR,GASWORKS. Perth, January 15. The Government has a half million 4 per cent, loan at £97 Is 3d, for the purchase of the 'gasworks; AUCKLAND DECLARED CLEAN. Melbourne, January 15. Auckland has been declared clean from plague as far as trade with Australia is concerned.