AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8224, 30 August 1906, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

HEAVY FALL OF SNOW. Received August 29, 9.40 a.m. MELBOURNE, August 29. There has bseo an exceptionally on the dividing range. At Ballarat the fall is the heaviest for 40 years. The weight of snow caused the collapse of a number of roofs in Ballarat aud other townships, including Greenfield's large grain store and Cobb aud Company's stables, , where there were 50 horses, which were in a wild state of excitement till they were rescued. MUCH DAMAGE DONE. Received "August 29, 10.7 p.m. MELBOURNE, August 29. Snow continues to fall heavily in the country, where it is three feet deep on the plains. Much damage has been dune to property aud crops. AUSTRALIAN DUTIES. Received August 29, 9.2 a.m. MELBOURNE, August 29. l'he new harvester duties came into operation yesterday afternoon. Tbe following have been placed on the free list—Handworked rakes and ploughs, combined hay tedders, maize harvesters, binders and planters, potato setters and diggers, and mould board plates in the rough. STORMY WEATHER. Received'ftugast 29, 10.37 p.m. SYDNEY, August 29. The weather is bitterly cold, and stormy. Rain is falling on the coast. Snow has fallen in tbe highlands. The sea is rough. THE ITSUKUSHIMA INCIDENT. Received August 29, 10.33 p.m. SYDNEY, August 29. The advices reoeived by the Japanese Consul here give a different version to tbe incident on board the warship Itsukushima. It was previously reported that the commander of the warship and the engineer had fought a duel on board the vessel, and the former had been killed. ■ The advices now received state that Engineer Kawai bad no quarrel with Commander Isbikawa, but that suddenly the former assaulted the commander aud then attempted to commit suicide by cutting his throat. The engineer had been mentally depressed for several years. When in port be invariably remained in his cabin. Tbe action of attacking the commander, with whom be was on most friendly terms, is attributed to tbe state of his mind. On arrival of the warship at Saeebo, Eawai was placed under medical observation. He has recovered from his wounds. The allegation that an Australian lady was responsible for the quarrel is denied.