AUSTRALIAN.

Thames Star, Volume XVII, Issue 5281, 21 December 1885, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN.

(Beceired December 21, noon.)

Sydney, This day-3

Sir John Robertson is meeting with serious obstacles in his attempt to form a Cabinet. Sereral of the gentlemen whose names have been mentioned as hia colleagues have declined to accept portfolios, and it is now considered doubtless whether he will succeed in forming a Ministry. Bbisbani, This day. Ckolera. Another death from cholera occurred among the Dorunda's passengers, and several other suspicious oases are in existence. Melbourne, Yesterday.

The Hon James Service, Premier, and the Hon. Graham Berry, Colonial Secretary, will represent the polony of Victoria at the forthcoming federal Council held at Hobart, The Hon. G. B. Kerferd accompanies them as legal adviser. Adelaide, Saturday. Disastrous Fire.

A most disastrous fire broke out yesterday at the warehouses of Messrs Orooke and Brooker, Port Adelaide, the *?hsle of which were completely destroyed. Some other adjoining warehouses had a narrow escape. Mdssrs Crooke and Broker estimate the damage at £30,000 to£4O,QC3. The loss is covered by insurance to the amount of £25,000 in which ail the prinei* pal companies are interested. [Received December 20, 2.4$ p.m.] Sydney, This day. Another Firo—£ls,ooo Damages. A fire which eventually attained alarming proportions, broke put pn Saturday night in Albury New South Wales. The flames destroyed the block in which the Australian Mutual Provident Society's office is situated, and spread to the pointing office of the Albury Banner newspaper, which was burned to the ground. The total loss is estimated at £15,000, the bulk •f which is covered by insurance.