AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 109, 16 January 1912, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

AN ECCENTRIC PERSON. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright I Sydney, January 15. The Dean of Newcastle, referring to the extraordinary church scene cabled, declared that the Rev. Mr. CoUey, who was carried round the church in a glass coffin, was not ordained by the Archbishop, but was one of the men appointed clergymen by Bishop Colenso, of Natal, after the schism in the church there. THREE BOYS DROWNED. •Melbourne, January 15. Three boys, William Butler, Ernest Butler, and James Conole, were drowned at Copescope. The last two were in a fishing boat, which capsized. William Butler swam to their assistance, but all were drowned. SERIOUS BUSH FIRE. Melbourne, January 15. In a bush fire in the Kielor district four thousand acre 3of grass, lucerne, haystacks, fences, farm buildings, and two hundred Shropshire ewes were burned. The total damage was over £IO,OOO. THE LABOR CONFERENCE. Melbourne, January 15. Mr. Fisher regards the conference as satisfactory. He says that the overture to New Zealand is timely. He is sure New Zealand will not feel hurt at being appealed to in the present fashion. HOME RULE ENVOYS IN VICTORIA. Melbourne, January 15.

The Irish envoys have concluded their Victorian tour. They collected £GOOO, making the Australasian total £22,000.