AUSTRALIAN.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 88, 7 February 1885, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN.

Melbourne, Jan. 30. — A tiro occurred to-day at Brunswick, and resulted in the total destruction of the residence of the Hon. Mr Sumner. Tho damage is estimated at 18,000. Melbourne, January 31.— The operative bootmakers of BalJarat, after conferring with tho Melbourne Bootmakers' Union, demanded a modification of terms from the manufacturers. The latter having refused, the lock-out has been renewed. Melbourne, February 2. — The operative bootmakers at Ballarafc, after conferring with the Melboutne Bootmakers' Union, demanded a modification of terms from the manufacturers. The latter having refused, the lockout has boen renewed. Sydney, Jan. 29. —It has transpired that the Cabinet dissent from tho view taken by Lord Derby regarding the exclusive liability of the colonies for the maintenance of government in New Guinea. Geneial Scratchley has accepted for six months the services of the Wolverine, and will leave for Now Guinea in about a month's time. Sydney, Jan. 30. — The inquest on the bodies of those killed at Cootamundra railway accident concluded yesterday. The verdict of the jury found that the Government Avere guilty of negligence in not supplying a large culvert at the scene of the accident, and that the catastrophe might have been prevented if the gang of fettlera had been supplied with more than one lamp. Sydney, Feb. 3. — Hanlan, Clifford, and Beach are now in active training for the approaching aquatic contests, and are doing good work. Sydney, February 4. Hanlin and Clifford are doing good training work for tho sculling match, which takes place between them on Saturday next. Both men have done excollent trials, and both are in good condition. Betting is 2 to 1 on Hanlan. Cooktown, Feb. 3. — News has reached here that the German war steamer Marie has been stranded near New Britain.