AUSTRALIAN.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 104, 30 May 1885, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN.

Melbourne, May 20. A series of experiments were made yesterday afterroon at Fitzroy with a gas motor for tram-cars. A car containing 20 persons travelled at the rate of 9& miles an hour, and the trial proved a complete success.

Melbourne, May 22. l&The Messageries s.s. Yara, which arrived heie, brings news of a severe cyclone which occurred at Madagascar 25th February last. Great damage was done to the shipping, no less than twelve vessels being destroyed. Adelaide, May 20.— The final agricultural statistics for the past have been issued by Government. They show the total yield of wheat in South Australia to have been 14,600,000 bushels, average 7 decimal, 32 bushels per acre. 902,000 bushels have been exported from the colony, and the quantity available is 50,000 tons, of which about half is for shipping. Sydney, May 20. — The drought still continues, and great inconvenience is experienced in the district in consequence of the scarcity of water. In the country districts rain is badly needed. Syt>ney, May 20.— 1t is reported from Newcastle that the schooner Grace L>jh collided with the steamer Namoi at that port on Tuesday night. The Grace Lynn sank shortly after the collision, but her crew were picked up by the Namoi. No lives were lost.

Sydney, May 27. Telegrams have been passing between the Hon. Alexander Sfcuaio, Premier of New South Wales, and the Hon. Robert Stout, Premier of New Zealand. The latter expresses himself as being anxious to show his appreciation of the work done by tho New South Wales contingent in the Soudan, and of their conduct while undergoing the hardships of the campaign. Mr Stuart, in reply, conveyed to Mr Stout his gratification at receiving so touching an expression of sympathy, and requested the honour of a visit from the Premier of New Zealand on the occasion of the return of the colonial forces.

Sydney, May 27 It is announced that New Zealand will send a representative to Sydney on the return of the New South Wales contingent, in order to convey the congratulations of that colony to the troops.