AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3758, 13 January 1881, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(PEE EOI?O3£AHANA.)

Sydney, January 6.

The representatives from the various colonies, expected at the Conference to be held at Sydney ori/ifcc 13th of January, are :— Victoria, Messrs Berry and Veale; Adelaidte, Messrs '^Morgan and Maur ; Tasmania, Messrs "Griblin -and - Moore ; Queensland, Messrs Mcllwraith and Moorehead; Western Australia, the Chief "Justice and a member of the Executive Council; New South Wales, Sir H. Parkes and Mr Watston.

The number of fares collected on the tramways on Saturday was upwards ,of 40,060. - -V l.; .1 ; The Victoria fieview for January contains an article by Sir H. Parkes on the intercolonial agreement.

A meeting of the Sydney Insurance Company was held for the purpose of considering the proposal of the Commercial Union Assurance Company to purchase the company's premises and goodwill of business, and winding up the business, of the Sydney Company. The proposal was carried.

The mysterious absence of Mr Dalton, magistrate of Parkes, from his duties is reported. It is six weeks since Mr Dalton sat on the Bench, and nothing has been heard of him. The Minister has ordered a further search at Golbourn.

At the Mount Weryng diggings a small diamond has been found. It was half a carat in weight, and is valued at £50. Several sapphires have also been found.

Newcastle, January. 6 A gallant rescufe of ;;Annie Leonard was .effected on Sunday, off the rocks. It appears she was wading barefeeted, and fell into an excavation, of the proximity of which she was not aware. Her cries attracted a man named Diamond, who got down the cliffs and plunged into the sea at the risk of his Own life, and caught her. Both were, washted ashore .and into the sea again, and were very much injured, but he managed to clutch a rock to. which he hung for ten minutes in a half-drowned condition. Subsequently the breakers washed them high and dry. .

Melbottbne, January 6. ; The congregation of the Scottish Church have presented the Eev. Mr Strong with an address, a silver salver, and 200 sovereigns.

The number that travelled on the railways on New "Sear's Day was 54,519. Lieutenant Williams, instructor of the local forces, is dismissed, followed by the disbandment of the paid artillery. At the* Exhibition very few Mudgee and New Zealand wools are shown.

It is expected that the jurors' awards in connection with the Exhibition will all be in by the end of the third week in January.

Two young ruffians, recently acquitted by a jury of assault and- robbery on a Chinaman, have been re-arrested for an offence of a similar nature.

The returns show that the quantity of wool offered during iW season was 146,902 bales, of which 108,950 were sold, closely approximating to the quantity of the previous year. The shipments show an increase 36,665 bales ; the total being 240,664, apainst 204,000 bales of last season. There has never been anything to compare with, the present wool show for excellence. Experts find it difficult to determine the winner. Some of the Tasmanian wools are much "admired, and will take a high stand. <''-

; ■•■£■" Adelaide, January 6. la the south-east bush, fires caused great damage to several runs. On Mr Ellis's Coola station, the store, wdolshed, man's huts and contents, also yards, aod a great length of fencing, besides grass, have been burnt. v The loss is estimated at £2000.

Plans are proposed for the harbour to be established on the south semaphore and completed, including a new harbor railway canal, docks,.wharves, &c, on? an extensive scale to cover 533 acres. No estimate of the cost has been submitted to the Harbor Deoartrnent.

Mr Burnett has returned from his tour in the north. He, will now rest till February.

The number of temperance pledges taken in the colony is 1700. Parliament opened on Tuesday. The Governor's Speech referred to the proceedings of the late especially the agreement between South Australia and New South Wales. The speech explained the proposal to bring other business before Parliament. The leader of the Opposition warmly attacked the Government's proceeding for unconstitutionally imposing new taxes- without the consent of Parliament. A. warm debate ensued. The Treasurer made a reply, saying that the real question was whether the action was justified by the specially exceptional circumstances. The tone of the House, generally, was in favor of the Government. The Address ia Feply was carried without division.

A fire occurred on the farm near Franklyn Harbour. . Mrs McCarthy and her five daughters and a son were burned to death. No assistance could be rendered, they being surrounded with dense scrub. The father was engaged in reaping, and tried to get home, but was driven back. It is said that the flames were at times 1 forty feet high, and as they swept down they appeared to roll over the places where there was nothing to harm. When Mr McCarthy was enabled to return to his house he found nothing but ruins, and the remains of his family.

Beisbane, January 6. The captain and officers of. the French warship Dcs Frees have been entertained by the Mayor of Cooktown. The Captain said he would protect and assist the vessels of other nations on the coast of New Guinea if necessary. An experienced New Guinea trader, Captain Johnson, accompanies him as pilot. He is thorough acquainted with the Louißiade Archepelago, and knows the ringleaders of the Brooker Island pirates. It is reported that the Daby Coonde Wirdi mail was stuck up near Woondwool on Thursday by a highwayman, who took the mails and two horses. •

The resignation of the senior principal Parliamentary shorthand writer is accepted. Mr Jones, an old member of the staff, will be appointed his successor. Mr Davenport, the member for Toowoomba, died on Saturday. A correspondent from the Gulf country reports that oa December 9, the weather broke, and there hare been thunderstorms

nightly since. The grass is luxuriant on the Cambridge Downs.

Cape Town, January 9. The news from Port Dajwin is discouraging. Everyone is ill with .fever, including the health officer.