AUSTRALIAN CABLE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2631, 10 March 1894, Page 1

AUSTRALIAN CABLE.

Sydney, March 7. The floods in the Newcastle district are of a serious character, and relief boats are held in readiness in case of emergency. The Hunter, Williams, and Patterson rivers are in high flood, and a disastrous inundation is feared. In many parts of the district the people are deserting their dwellings. The floods are gradually receding. Very bad weather is being experienced along the coast. Phenomenal rains have fallen round Kempsey, the records showing 8 and 9 inches for 24 hours. There are no signs of the weather breaking. March 8.

The Wesleyan Conference has expelled the Rev. Mr Hall, of Queanbeyan, for alleged breach of discipline. The affair arose through Mr Hall coming out as a candidate at the Parliamentary General Election. The Church attempted to frustrate his political efforts by removing him to another station, but Mr Hall positively declined to agree to his transfer. Newcastle, March 8. Two labourers named Harris and Wylde have been arrested on a charge of having murdered a free miner named Jacobsen, employed at the Stockton Colliery. Jacobsen’s dead body was found on Sunday last. Melbourne, March 7,

The Jockey McCowau, besides sustaining a terrible kick just above the temple, had his chest stove in and several ribs broken. He leaves a wife and two children in comfortable circumstances. Buxton had three ribs fractured, besides sustaining other injuries, but is progressing favourably. Walker on Yalala and Stevenson on T'uUamore also fell at the same time. Stevenson escaped unhurt, but Walker, besides being severely shaken, was cut about the face. The accident is supposed to have happened through a dog crossing the course in the opening from the Press stand. It appeared from the stand aa if Valala s! ambled, A verdict of not guilty was returned in the Mercantile Bank cases against Davies, Milledge, and Muntz. Mar«h 8. Mr Justice Hood, in summing up in the Mercantile Bank case yesterday afternoon, narrowed tbe issues down to whether the balance-sheet was false, and if so whether the accused were aware of it. The jury arrived at a verdict of Not Guilty after an hoar’s deliberation, and tho accused were discharged.

Adelaide, March 7. It is the approach to the railway bridge, and not the sti ucturo itself, that has been carried away by Hoods. Over 2i inches foil in torrents in two hours in the township around the Murray bridge. The Victorians made 312 in their second innings, and wore beaten by (if-! runs. South Australia wins Lord Mhefhold’s shield, having won three out of live intercolonial matches. Houaut, March S. An Miipnoment has been moved to Sir K. C. N. Braddon’s “ want of confidence” motion, it is to the eli'ect that in view of the urgent necessities of the State, the proposals of the (lovernmout should lie considered in committee. BrusmxK, March 7. At the Wesleyan Conference tho Rev. Mr Payne made serious charges against whites residing in tho far north. .Ho alleged that blacks wore shot down as a nuisance, caus'ng them to lleo to pails where food was scarce, tho result being a horrible condition of cannibalism.

Marcfi 8. The Rev. Mr Payne explains that in making the charges against the Europeans in the far north, he referred to what had occurred in the past. Outrages on natives are not now frequent, and reprisals have now ceased. Thursday Island, March 7. Hong Kong files report that the steamer Hang Chow Collided with an unknown steamer,which sank immediately, not a soul on board being saved. Another collison occurred in the Straits of Malacca between two Chinese steamers; one sank immediately and the other shortly afterwards, a total of 45 lives being lost. ■ • "v