AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Taihape Daily Times, 18 February 1919, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

——o —— INFLUENZA IN MELBOURNE

TROUBLE ON A TROOPSHIP

Received 10.15

MELBOURNE, this day.

Twenty-nine deaths have occurred, including three in the country, making a total of 372. Doctor Cuhpston, who is reviewing the epidemic, states there has been a form of fatal influenza gradually becoming more and more intense for months past, in Australia, and it may linger for many months mOre.

Troops aboard the transport Karmala, seized the ship and refused to allow coal aboard, objecting to the vessel going to Hobart to land a few Tasmanians before proceeding to Sydney. Later, the trouble was Settled.

DEATHS IN

MELBOURNE

MELBOURNE, February 17 There were eighteen deaths from influenza to-day.

REASSURING MESSAGE FROM

VICTORIA. CHRISTCHURCH, February 17 The secretary of the Canterbury Commercial Travellers’ Association to-day received the following cable mesage from Melbourne from the secretary of the Victorian Commercial Travellers’ Association: F'On behalf of this Association, I am directed to state that most exaggerated reports have evidently been circulated regarding the influenza outbreak in Victoria. Not a single case exists among our 4000 members, who are proceeding with business as usual. There is no evidence available that the epidemic, which is now steadily abating, is other than the pre-war type of influenza. Please communicate this to your members and to the daily press.”

TERRIFIC HEAT IN N.S.W.

RECORD DROUGHT FEARED

SYDNEY, February 17./

Terrific heat has been experienced during the past rev/ days, exceeding 100 degreecs in many places. It has intensified the widespread drought, | which promises to eclipse 1901. All i parts of the State report serious j losses in stock and fruit owing to j lack of water. j AUSTRALIAN LABOUR, j AN ABORTIVE CONFERENCE , Received 10.15 a.m. SYDNEY, this day. A confuence between wheat lumpers [/and shippers proved abortive, owners refusing to concede the men’s claims. A steady rain is falling in the west and there is every indication the drought has broken.