AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIX, Issue 8140, 17 May 1906, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

SENSATIONAL SUBSIDENCE AX NEWCASTLE. ABOUT 300 ACRES AFFECTED. INHABITANTS ALARMED. Reoeived May 16. 9.10 a.m. SYDNEY, May 16. A sensatioaal subsidence occurred at Newcastle, last night, on Shepherd's Ilill, which forms one of the most favoured residential sites, ayd ocoupies a position adjacent to the underground workings of the Sea ooal pit. it is suimised that a "creep" has taken place in some portion of the workings, causing the surface to be rent and buckled, About 300 acres have suffered. Terraoe Street is considerably afteoted by the subsidence. The houses are mostly of brick and event one of them is more or less damaged, while the water and gas-mains are twisted and broken. The residents on the Hill felt the earth t'-embling, the effect being mo3t severe. About half-way up Terrace Street the walls of houses were thrown out of plumb, the cracks ranging up to two inches wide. The lawns and back-yards are lined with crevices. The residents quiok!y evacuated their homes, many seeking refuge with relatives or at hotels in the city. The , masonry of the forts if» cracked in places, and rnuoh injury has been caused to the gun mountings. Viewed from any point, it seems as if the whole hill has lost its foundation and subsided a oouple of inohes. The rupture of the water-rnains drained a high-pressure tank, containing several thousand gallons, on the apex of the hill. The water has not come to the surface, but has found its way underground. A further subsidence feared. The water is escaping fast from the main reservoir in the town, and a gang of men are endeavouring to stop the overflow. ARRIVAL OF MR SEDDON IN SYDNEY. AN ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION. Received May 16, 11.9 p.m. SYDNEY, May 16. The Warrimoo has arrived after a pleasant voyage. Mr Seddon is in excellent health. The steamer Commodore, with a large representative of the New Zealanders' Reception Committee, Messrs Carruthers, Hogue, O'Sullivan, and other prominent men, on board, met the Warrimoo inside the Heads, and aocorded Mr Seddon a flattering welcome en route to the wharf, where a large crowd gathered and warmly greeted him. , Congratulatory speeches were made, Mr Seddon suitably replying. MR SEDDON'S REPLY. WELLINGTON, May 16. Replying to the welcome given him in Sydney, Mr Seddon said that be had left for a short time "God's own country," in peace and plenty, to bask for a time in the sunshine of Australia, aqd enjoy the proverbial hospitality and good friendship of its people. Australia and New Zealand were working out destinies apart, said Mr Seddon, but there was a federation of kindred and language and people, whioh was the strongest bond of union that could be formed. New Mr Seddon concluded, had sympathised with Australia in her adversity, and now rejoioed with her in her (prosperity, whiab he hoped would; inorease and be lasting. AN lINTERVIEW. Received May 17, 12.20 a.m. SYDNEY, May 16. Mr Seddon told an interviewer that as far as the Arbitration Act in New Zealand was concerned there was no fault to find.' The law is all right. Employers and employees < recognise that cently, however, there has been considerable feeling involved by the dfcoisious given by the Court especially with regard 1o seamen's cases. The whole trouble lies in the matter of the administration of the Aot and it had been alleged that the findings oil the Court have not been in accordance with the evidence. Of this he could 'lot speak because he had not had time to go into the evidence carefully, but had every confidence in the impar I tiality of Judge Chapman. The most important question Mr Seddon had to discuss with the Federal Premier was the New Hebrides. Asked about reciprocity between New Zealand and Australia, Mr Seddon said that they need have no concern about that at all. He expressed keen appreciation of the kindly welcome given him by the New Zealanders. IN APPRECIATION OF MR SEDDON. Received May 16, 10.30 a.m. SYDNEY, May 16. The Sydney Morning Herald, devotes a leading artiole in appreciation of Mr Seddon. The journal declares that he is far too remarkable a figure in Australasian politics to allow his arrival in Australia to pass as an ordinary visit by a political man from a neighbouring oolony. PLAGUE. Reoeived May 16, 9;30 a.m. PERTH, May 16, Another case of plague is reported.

CABLE NEWS.

By TelegraDh—Piess Association—Copv^S^