AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8292, 21 November 1906, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

THE WRECKED STEAMER AUSTRALIAN. Received November 20, 9.54 a.m. PORT DARWIN, Nov. 20. The steamer AuHtralmn, which went ashore near Fort Darwin on Saturday, struck the reef with great force. The rooK pierced the hull in several plaoes. The steamer lies hard and fast. There was no [janio, all on board exhibiting great jontrol. The orew is standing by the steamer, which is olose in shore, VESSEL LIKELY TO BECOME A TOTAL WRECK. Received November 20, 10.3 p.m. SYDNEY, November 20. Latest advices from Port Darwin state that the Australian is likely to become a total wreok. The bottom of the vessel is badly damaged, owing to grinding on the rocks All attempt to get the water under so far have failed. The salvage steamer is expected to reach the scene of the wreok this afternoon. The Australian lies on an outlying reef at Vashon Head at the entrance to Port Essington, 115 miles from Port Darwin. She struck at 9 o'clock on Saturday night. The weather was dirty, and the strong tide running set the vessel inshore. The steamer Waihoi was in the vicinity at the time, and took off the passengers. EARTHQUAKE AT PERTH. Received November 20, 9.47 a.m. PERTH, November 20. g A distinct shock of earthquake was experienced at Perth yesterday afternoon. The Government astronomer states that it was the severest ever recorded inthe observatory. The needle jumped right across the seisruograpb,| and continued to register shocks for a considerable time. Though unly one shook was ex perieuoed at the observatory, all parts of the State from Marble Bar to Albany report shocks varying in intensity. No damage is reported auywbere. DESTRUCTIVE HAILSTORMS. Reoeived November 20, 9.54 a.m. SYDNEY, November 20. Severe thunder and destructive hailstorms are reported fiom many parts of the Statq. TAt Bingera the jhail was six inches deep. Windows were broken and houses unroofed,

WRESTLING. Received November 20, 9.54 a.m. ! MELBOURNE, Nov. 20. % Amid* great: excitement, Clarence Weber defeated Buttan Singh for the wrestling championship of Australia. The Hindu secured the first fall, and Weber toe second. Then the Hindu, who Jwas greatly weakened, refused to go on. ' EXECUTION .FOR MURDER. ; Received November 20, 9.5 a a.m. PERTH, November 20. The Italian Antonio Sala has been executed for the murder of his compatriot Gregoimi at Mount . Jackson on September 13th. Death was instantaneous. FROM BOOKMAKER TO AUCTIONEER. Reoeived November 21, 12.28 a.m. SYDNEY, November 20. Hugh Oxenham, the well-known bookmaker, has commenced business as an auctioneer. At his opening sale he disposed of the furniture of the defunot Carlton Cinb. He mentioned at the sale that owing to the operation of the Betting Aot ho would bare in the futnre a good deal of leisure time, and it occurred to him &bat he might profitably employ it as an auctioneer. A FRENCH BARQUE WRECKED. THE CREW SAFE. Received November 20, 10.3 p.m. * ADELAIDE, November 20. A lad arrived at Kingscote, to day, and reported the wreck of the Frenoh bflrque Montebelle, which left Hobart on November 7th, in ballast, for Port Pirie. The lad met some of the crew, which numbers forty all told. They informed him that the barque went ashore early on Sunday morning, near Cape Dioonedip, the south-west extremity of Kangaroo Island. The wpather was exceedingly rough, and they were trying to make Cape Borda, but missed the light. They were unaware that they ' were near land till the vessel struck. All bands got safely ashore, though one seaman wa3 rather seriously injured. The crew are now camped in a shelter hut. near the scene of the wreck. Provisions have been sent, and a Government steamer despatched to their assistance. Owing to the crew !all being Frenchmen there is a difficulty in obtaining details. Received November 21, 1.10 a.m. ADELAIDE, November 20. A report has been received by the Marine Board that the MontebelJe is a total wreck.

CABLE NEWS.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright

HIGH PRICE FOR STOCK. Received November 20, QSti a. a. SYDNEY, November 20. Owing to the demand for frozen mutton for export, prices at the Homehush sales were very high. Wethers brought 20.< 9d, and merinos 20s—records for the season. AN INFECTED RAT. Received November 20, 9.51 a.m. SYDNEY, November 20. \ infected rat has been found in Darling Harbour. THE WHEAT CROP. Received November 20, 9.54 a.m. SYDNEY, November 20. Information from the wbeatgrowing districts point to the yield being above the average.