AUSTRALIAN CABLE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1854, 16 February 1889, Page 1

AUSTRALIAN CABLE.

Melbourne, February 13. Sailed yesterday—Wairarapa, for the Bluff. Arrived—Ringarooma, from Dunedin, Sydney, February 13. It is stated that the fire which broke out on the express train yesterday was caused by the friction of a portion of the I van grinding on the wheels. It is now ascertained that over a thousand letters were burned, including five bags for Tasmania. Excitement over the elections is increasing in consequence of the closeness of the struggle between the two great parlies. The latest returns to-night show that the Freetraders have carried 65 seats and the Protectionists 61, Adelaide, February 13. A sharp earthquake shock was experienced here and in other parts of the colony last night; duration, half a minute. The Governments of South and Western Australia have received an offer from an English syndicate to construct a railway from Roebuck Bay to Anglapole on the trans-conlinental line, a distance of 1000 miles, the work to be I completed in 12 years. The syndicate i want 35,000 acres of land for every mile of railway constructed. The Government have withdrawn the balance of the loan for the present. £600,000 has been subscribed, sufficient to carry on until December. The banks have offered to find the remainder at ones quarter below par, but this proposal was declined. Perth, February 13, It is reported that a cyclone passed over King George’s Sound, and that twelve luggers and a schooner are missing. No particulars are yet to hand,