AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8353, 8 February 1907, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

SHIPPING DISASTERS. Recieved February 7, 5.5 p.m. SYDNEY, February 7. The steamer Induna has arrived at Norfolk Island. She brought news of the wrecks of the Malgwyn and Annasonia. Both vessels were bound from the West Coast of South America to Newcastle in ballast. The crews of both barques are safe at Lord Howe Island. The Malgwyn was abandoned when on her beam ends. The wa3 totally wrecked on the Middleton Reef. Mrs Nicholls, a resident of Lord Howe Island, telegraphed that she is looking after the crews, and is short of provisions. She urged the despatch of a Government steamer. Received February 7, 10.55 p.m. SYDNEY; February 7. Two crews to the number of 68, belonging to the Annasonia, s after taking to the boats, were picked up by the schooner Stanley, and landed at Lord Howe Island on January 25th. The Malgwyn's crew arrived on the same date. The Government will despatch the steamer Captain Cook with supplies for the shipwrecked sailors, and s . is expected to leave early to-morrow. After landing supplies the steamer will bring away as many of the shipwrecked crews as possible.

TRADE WITH ENGLAND. Received February 7, 9.50 a.m. MELBOURNE, February 7. Sir John Sherbourne, formerly Mayor of Hull, who is visiting Melbourne, suggests subsidising direct lines of steamers between Australia and Hull for the betterment of trade.

TASMANIA'S APPLE; CROP. ; Received February 7, 9.50 a.m. HOBART, February 7. Over half a million cases of apples, almost double last year's shipment, will be. exported to England and Europe this season. SYDNEY WOOL SALES. Received February 8, 1.15 a.m. SYDNEY, February 7. This week's wool sales closed firm at late rates. Greasy brought up to 13fd, scoured 23£ d. VISITORS' IMPRESSIONS OF '/ NEW ZEALAND. Received February 7, 9.46 a.m.' MELBOURNE, February T. '■;' Mr Kirkpatrick, Chief Secretary of South Australia, says New Zealand merits the late Mr Seddon's appellation of "God's Own Country." } Received February 7, 9.46 a.m. . HOBART, February 7. . The Premier,(Mr Evans) considers Tasmania [has natural advantages which compare favourably with New Zealand, but that the Tasmariian climate eclipsed that of New Zealand beyond conception.

A LARGE WHEAT CROP. Received February 7, 9.50 a.m. ADELAIDE, February 7. | The wheat crop in South is estimated to be the second largest on record. NEW GUINEA. THE COMMISSION'S REPORT. Received February 7, 9.56 a.m.. MELBOURNE, February 7. ". The Papuan Commission's! report says:—lt appears that while Captain Barton, the Acting-Administrator, cannot be charged with direct action in discouraging agricultural or mining development, he has failed to do all that a sympathetic administrator, < untrammelled by personal prejudice for or against certain members ofthe public service, might have ad> complished. The division of his staff into two classes—one for and the other always against his policy—has been the keynote of his comparative failure as an administrator. Personal'prejudice towards those counted friends or enemies in the main is unwarranted by the action of either, and has so clouded the broader question of outside interest. The commissioners wonder that he has in the circumstances accomplished what he has in the direction of general development. They are more than satisfied with Captain Barton's conclusions as to the disloyalty of some of his officers. Apart altogether from their incorrectness they have had a most paralysing effect on his general administration, with the natural result that time most urgently needed in the public interests has often been wasted on personal squabbles and mutual recriminations between officials. Apart from these considerations Captain Barton, in his desire to promote the native interests, has not, the commission states, kept before him as much as was desirable the question of white development. In making recommendations for the reorganisation of the public service the report says:—"Judging from the instances of incapacity and even worse faults which came under notice, the commissioners have come to the conclusion that Papua at times has been regarded as > a convenient place to lose certain men not wanted elsewhere." The recommendations for the development of the territory include giving the Government power to purchase all land not required by the natives; a Government system of labour recruiting; preference by Australia to Papuan 'products:; a loan for development purposes; wireless telegraphy to. Thursday Island; and power to grant 1 iquor licenses in exceptional (eases.

CABLt: >..;iVN.

By Telegraph—Pi* 4ss. :i iation—Copyright,

SCULLING. i

Received February 7, 10.55 p.m. SYDNEY, February 7. Towns and Durnan have got fairly to work training on the Nepean River.

VANCOUVER MAIL SERVICE. Received February 8, 1.11 a.m. MELBOURNE, February. 7. ... The Postmaster-General (Mr A. Chapman) has received an intimation from Mr Mills that he intends to wait on Mr Chapman to discuss the Vancouver mail service. Mr Chapman explains that the difficulty in the way of continuing the service is that it is not greatly availed of for postal purposes. Mr Chapman had an interview with Sir J. G. Ward on the subject. The Postmaster is anxious to continue the service, not only from a trade standpoint, but because it is part of the "All-Red Lin3." \

MELBOURNE HIDES MAftKET. Recieved February 7, 10.55 p.m. MELBOURNE, February 7. The hides market is Slightly easier, though there is no cjuotable change in prices. ! THEIPLAGUE INfNEW SOUTH WALES. Received February 7, 10.55 p.m. SYDNEY, February 7. The authorities are hopeful of checking the further spread of plague since the citizens are now fairly aroused to the danger, and are cooperating in taking preventive measures. •The matron of the Kempsey'Hos-1 pital has contracted .the plague. Received February 8, 1.11 a.m. BRISBANE, February 7. ' A man has been attacked by the plague at Kangaroo Valley. Two other suspicious cases are reported.; ' ' PHENOMENAL RAIN. MINES FLOODED., Received February 8/1.11 a.m. LAUNCESTON, February 7. < Phenomenal rain has fallen on the' East Coast. : > Several .mines were flooded. \ The greatest damage was done at the Pioneer,' Mine, which was flooded to a depth of 70 feat. • STRANDED COLONIALS. .Received February 7, 9.50 a.m. MELBOURNE, February. 7. Mr Deakin, the Federal Premier, is considering a schemejfor co-operat-ing with the various States for the repatriation of a thousand Australians who are stranded in South Africa owing to the lack of employment.