AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8314, 18 December 1906, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

A SENSATIONAL STORI 7 . GERMANY'S AMBITIONS. Received December 17, 12.27 p.m. MELBOURNE, Deo. 17. A sensational storyi is current showing that the Australians uairowly eseaned rooeiving an unpleasant surprise respecting the New Hebrides early in the year. Ger many, or German agents, almost acquired possession of several plantations with the object of enabling the German Government to claim equal cocsideration with Britain and France in the future control or partition of the islands. Only prompt action by the Colonial Office appears to have saved the situation. 'lhe proposal to establish a joint protectorate by Britßiu and France apparently suggested to Germany tha", she might gain another foothold in the Pacific by buying estates in the New Hebrides before the convention was signed. The cooventioD, when nearly completed, bung tire ' for several months, when it was *usbed through and signed so quickly that the Commonwealth and New Zealand could not thoroughly criticise its provisions. From what has since been learned, it appears to be fairly certain that the German designs forced tbo hands of the British and i<reucb Governments. While the convention was in course of being made, two strangers, who oouoealed their nationality, landed at New Hebrides, and began overtures for the purohase of estates, offering sums much in ad- | vance of tho current values, but before the purchases were concluded it was found, that the strangers were representatives of a German syndioate financed by rich men connected wiih the Pangermas I League, if not with the German Goverumeut itself. When the news of the signing of the convention arrived, the strangers quietly left the group for the Far Wast.

WHAKF LABOURERS' STRIKE. Received Deoember 17, 9.25 a.m. ADELAIDE, Deuember 17. The wharf labourers' strike has b«en settled, and has resulted practically iu a viotory for the men. A new agreement with a ourrenoy for twelve months haß r been signed. It upholds the principle of an eight hours' day. Da.v shifts are allowed two "smoke-obV of ten minutes each instead of two of twenty minutes, as previously. Night shifts are allowed two spells of twenty minutes each. Ail the other conditions xemain unaltered. Work has been resumed,

A SHOOTING ACCIDENT. Received December 17, 9.25 a.m. SYDNEY, Deoember 17. A fatal shooting accident occurred in the Callan Park Mental Hospital. A dootor was examining a revolver belonging to a patient whew the revolver exploded and killed an attendant named Price.

SMALLPOX ON A STEAMER. Received Daoembsi* 17, 9.30 a.m. SYDNEY, Deoember 17. The steamer Pathan has arrived at Newoastle from Japan. A lasoar member of ths crow is suffering from smallpox.

MINERS' WAGES. Reoeived December 17, 9.30 a.m. MELBOURNE. December 17.' The Mouufc Lyell Company has raised the wages of miners by sixpence per day. NUGGETS DISCOVERED. Received December 17, 9.30 a.m. - MELBOURNE, December 17. Several other fine nuggets have been unearthed at Tarnagulla. i MOTOR OAR FAI4LITY.™™ Received December 17, 9.25 a.n, SYDNEY, December .17. A motor ear, containing four Sydney residents, was descending Lapstone Hill at Penrith when the vehicle collided with a rock. One of the occupants, a Mr Grainger, was killed, and another wbb severely wounded, SERIOUS FIRE IN MELBOURNE. Received December 17, 9.25 a.m. MELBOURNE, Deoeraber 17. Messrs Davies and Oo,'s soft goods warehouse in 'Flinders Lane was destroyed by fire. The damage is estimated at £20,000. Thß insurances totalled £12,700. RACING. , Received December 17, 11 p.m. SYDNEY, December 17. Putty has been soratobed for the Surrmer Gup and Villiers Stakes.

A DISGUSTED IMMIGKANT. Received Deoerobar 17, 11 p.m. SYDNEY, December 17. Taylor, an immigrant; with bis wife and family, was induoed to come tu New South Wales by the Agent-General on the understanding that land on the half-share system would be available for him. Taylor found on arrival that the lonal authorities oould not carry out the terms on whioh he was induoed to leave England. In diagust he ha» deoiderl to go to New Zealand, taking a fair oapital with him.

CABLE NEWS.

By'.Telegraph—Ptess Association—Copyright