AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 39, 10 February 1912, Page 6

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Sydney, February 9

The chief railway construction engineer sails for New Zealand to-mor-row to enquire into the method of day labour on railway works. During the recent hurricane at Noumea three schooners, the George dc Lauderdale, the Aeroplane, and F. Whiteford, were wrecked. The launch Dolphin arid the trader Dick Angeler. are missing. A Noumea resident and another man wore drowned. iA later estimate of the damage in connection with the Mungindi fire reduces it to £15,000. The weather is cooler and, showery. There have been some good falls of rain. The military authorities are adopting action in the case of cadets failing to attend drills under the compulsory Act. Eleven who have not attended spice July were committed to confinement for a term corresponding to the period the drills should have occupied, and ordered to pay 16s Gd'and costs. Fire destroyed the top floor of the “Bulletin;’ office, containing valuable etching and photographic plant. The damage is estimated at £SOOO. Melbourne, February 9. Mr O’Malley declares that the visit of Mr Griffiths,, M.P., in connection with a trans-continental railway, will bo fruitless, as the Government will build the railway itself.