AUSTRALIAN.

Te Aroha News, Volume I, Issue 36, 9 February 1884, Page 4

A USTRAL l AN.

' Melbourne, January 31. — A meeting of the residents of Riverina, the district lying between the Murray and Murrumbidgee Rivers, forming part of New South Wales, is to be held here to-morrow for the purpose of considering the question of separation from New South Weles, which has been advocated at meetings held in other places. Scott (Victoria) and Garrett (New South Wales) have joined the Australian cricket team, Twelve or thirteen players will proceed to England. Melbourne, February 1. — At a meeting of the Kiverina residents to-night, a committee was appointed to inaugurate a separation league. Melbourne, February 2.— The authorities of the London and Chartered Bank state that their loss by the frauds of Messrs Thomas, Sons and Co. does not exceed L 90,000, which is more than covered by the reserve fund, invested in consols, and kept quite distinct from the bank's paid-up capital of L 100,000,000. Sydney, January 31. — A further arrest has been made by the police in connection with the murder of Elizabeth Phillips at Woolloomooloo on September 10th, last year. Sy.dne v, February 1 . — New Zealand wheat i is 3s Gd, New Zealand oats 3s, maize 4s 6d, j and the Sugar Company's No, 1 pieces per ] ton £34. | Sydney, February 1 — In the course of a ; debate in the Legislative Assembly to- : night, an angry altercation took place ; between the Hon. Robert Wisdom and Mr Buchanan. Subsequently both went into the Speaker's retiring room, and while there Mr Wisdom struck Mr Buchanan, and both rolled on the floor. The House broke up i in confusion, and the galleries were cleared. ! On the return of the members an excited debate ensued, and Mr Wisdom vas ordered i to attend the House on Tuesday next on a I chaige of breach of privilege. Sydney, February 1. — In the Legislative Assembly to-day, the Government Bill for validating the seats of the Hons. G. H. Reid and H. C. Cohen, and Mr Sutton and others, was under consideration. Mr Suttons seat was ultimately declared vacant, in opposition to the Government. The Hon. G. H. Reid announced his intention of seeking re-election. Brisbane, February 2. A hurricane of a most severe character has been experienced at Bowen, a seaport town about 723 miles north of this city. The wind blew for some hours with terrific force, and caused immense destruction, every building in town being more or less damaged, and many blown down. Hundreds of people have been rendered homeless. Both bank buildings have been razed to tho ground, and all the hotels have been so damaged as to be unfit for occupation. The jetty has been blown away, and the steamer Fiado, which was lying alongside, has been driven aground. So far as is known, no loss of life has beed caused. Brisbane, February 4. It has been ascertained that no loss of life occurred from the hurricane recently experienced in the North. Poole Island Freezing Works, near Bowen, have been completely destroyed, and it is feared there has been a wreck on Gloucester Island, off Edgecumbe Bay. The storm had a most extensive front, and serious floods are reported in many parts of Northern Queensland, Hundreds of persons at Bowen are in a state of destitu tion. Adelaide, Saturday. — Wheat is quoted at 4s nominal. Country flour has declined to L8 to L8 10s per ton.