AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8327, 8 January 1907, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

SEISMIC DISTURBANCES. Received January 7, 9.56 a.m. PERTH, January 7. The seismograph at the Perth Observatory recorded two violent tremors on Wednesday and Saturday last. The indications were that the shocks occurred on the south-east coast of Africa or in Central India. Bearing on the second record, the Eastern Extension officer at the island of Rodriguez, about 380 miles from Mauritius, informed the officer at Cocos Island that the sea was boiling at Rodriguez, and small tidal waves were being experienced. Later on the water rose higher than had been known before, and boats had to be hauled out of danger. After rising for two hours the sea receded. Received January 8, 12.33 a.m. SYDNEY, January 7. The Seismograph Observatory recorded severe earthquakes on January 2nd and 4th.

GALE ON THE COAST. , Received January 7, 9.49 a.m. SYDNEY, January 7. One of the most violent gales experienced for years raged along the coast yesterday. Some damage is reported ashore, but shipping escaped lightly. A boat's crew had a narrow escape from being dashed to pieces at Bellambi reef, but a passing steamer rescued them and the crew of a lifeboat that went to their assistance.

MELBOURNE BUILDING TRADE. Received January 7, 9.49 a.m. MELBOURNE, January 7. About two thousand men have resumed work in the building trade, giving employment indirectly to another thousand. '• NEWCASTLE MINING DIFFICULTY. Received January 7, 9 .49 a.m. NEWCASTLE, January 7. Three colleries in the Newcastle district are idle owing to disagreement with the' miners. THE PACIFIC ISLANDS. Received January 7, 1.37 p.m. MELBOURNE, January 7. It is stated on the authority of missionaries in the Pacific Islands that Britain and France have completed negotiations whereby France cedes Tahiti to Britain in consideration of certain territorial concessions in Burmah or Further India. The Federal Premier, Mi- Deakin, states that he has received no communication in reference to the matter. NEW ZEALAND'S LAND LEGISLATION. Received January 7, 10 a.m. SYDNEY, January 7. Mr Wilmot, the Cape legislator, visited New Zealand, is greatly impressed with the success of the colony's advances to settlers scheme, and the cutting up of large estates.

SYDNEY WOOL SALES. Received January 8, 12.43 a.m. ; SYDNEY, January 7. At the wool sales greasy touched 13Jd and scoured 19 |d. THE STORY OF AN ELOPEMENT. Received January 8, 12.43 a.m. MELBOURNE, January 7. Captain Gabriel Essipfoft and Madame Onchakoff,' who eloped from St. Petersburg in May last, and have since been fleeing from the lady's infuriated husband, have arrived in Melbourne. They are now in straitened circumstances. The details of the flight until * they reached England, where all trace of them was supposed to have been lost, have already been published. It appears from the lady's story to the press that they eluded spies by motoring to Southampton, where they boarded the steamer Kenilworth Castle, and sailed for the Cape. They had intended to go to Bombay and then await the arrival of the Haversham Grange to proceed to New Zealand. Ultimately they shipped by the Paparoa, and landed at Hobart. They assert that they were spied on there, and came on to Sydney. Still the spies tracked them, and eventually they crossed to Melbourne. Their immediate financial necessities were relieved by the receipt to-day of £SO from the lady's mother. The couple are both in delicate health.