AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 228, 9 January 1911, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

IMMIGRANTS FOR AUSTRALIA. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. London, January 0. During 1910 assisted emigrants to the number of 5500 went to New South Wales. This number included 2100 farm laborers and domestics. The remainder were mostly wives and children of settlers, Melbourne, January 7. As an indication of the increase of immigration to Australia, the owners of the Mamari, which sailed tor New Zealand in December, udvise that they intend to deviate her to Sydney and Melbourne to land passengers. The step is ! taken in order to relieve the extreme pressure for accommodation.

THE KILLING WORTH COLLIERY. Sydney, January 7. I Killingworth colliery, the scene of the recent explosion, will remain sealed for three months. MINIMUM WAfiE. Sydney, January 7. The minimum wage of'£llo yearly to all State employees aged 21 and upwards has been extended to the Railway Department. INCREASE OF DRCNKENNESS. Adelaide, January 7. Convictions for drunkenness in the city last year showed an increase of four hundred.

AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE. Sydney, January 7. The enrolment of cadets under the new defence scheme has been initiated in the various States. There is a «reat rush for enrolment forms. Melbourne, January 7. The observatory seismograph lias recorded several earth tremors during the week, including a specially severe one on Wednesday morning, extending for four hours. Yesterday morning residents in some southern suburbs were aroused by repeated shaking of their houses, accompanied by a rumbling noise. Some were so seared that they rushed into the streets in their night clothes. The seismograph, however, shows no record of the disturbance. THE "TANTANOOLA TIGER." Adelaide, January 7. Edmondson, a well-known resident of the district, has been arrested In connection with the Tantanoola sheep-steal-ig sensation.

THE COMMOX WEALTH CRUISERS. Melbourne, January 7. The modifications agreed upon in the designs of the two Commonwealth cruisers in order to fit them for the rough seas prevailing on the Australian coast involves an extra cost of £IOO,OOO each.