AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8369, 28 February 1907, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

PRAISE FROM LIEUTENANT BENTLEY.

Received February 27, 8.55 a.m. SYDNEY, February 27. Lieutenant Bentley, judge of the Band Contest in connectionjwith the Christchurch Exhibition, states that, speaking generally, New Zealand bands are superior to the bands of New South Wales. RAIN IN NEW SOUTH WALES. Received February 27, 8.55 a.m. SYDNEY, February 27. There is heavy rain falling in the North. One inch has fallen in Sydney. THE PLAGUE. Received February 27, 8.55 a.m. SYDNEY, February 27. During the present outbreak, there have been twenty-six cases of plague, and seven deaths have been recorded. CHINESE INFORMERS. AN INTIMIDATORY SOCIETY. Received February 27, 10.23 a.m. PERTH, February 27. During the, hearing of a Chinese gambling case, a witness said he was afraid to give evidence because other Chinamen would kill him. He stated that a society had been formed in Perth by one hundred Chinese, who picked ten of their number to kill any Chinaman giving evidence in gambling cases. These ten men, the witness said, received 15s per week, and in the event of any of them meeting with death in carrying out the society's behests, £3OO would be sent to his widow and children. If one of them received any injury he would bejjpaid 30s weekly and medical expenses.

QUEENSLAND SUGAR. Received February 27, 10.23 a.m. BRISBANE, February 27. At the sugar growers' conference it was estimated that the sugar harvest would be a record one. The raw materal is valued at £2,000,000. Labour for the harvest was reported to be totally inadequate. It was resolved to take steps to secure a supply of labour, but the conference opposed the Government's idea of charging growers £5 per head for immigrants brought out for them. The Premier (Mr Kidston) states that he will adhere to the demand. The Government feel it to be their pressing duty to fill North Queensland with white men.

THE CARNARVON SURVIVORS. Received February 27, 9.53 a.m. PERTH, February 27. Captain Jones, of the ship Carnarvon Castle, which was burned at sea 1,100 miles out in the Indian Ocean, preserved his diary during the long boat voyage of 24 days to Cape Naturaliste. The diary shows that the sailmaker, Alexander Naylor, died on February 18th, and John Owen, apprentice, two days later. The bodies were committed to the deep, all repeating the Lord's Prayer. The last entry is dated February 21st and reads as follows : "Light westerly breeze. Our water all finished. 0 Lord, pity us, otherwise we shall all be dead soon. Give us strength to say 'Thy will be done.' Is this hypocrisy? I hope not. 0 Lord give us strength for ours is'nearly all done. We look to Thee entirely. Our reckoning is all faulty. There is no sign of land yet. Lord, guide us in this world and to the next." Captain Evan Jones is a wiry little Welshman, and is very proud of the behaviour of his crew throughout the trying experience. He cannot explain the cause of the fire. All he heard was a muffled ' report like a distant gunshot. Then smoke issued from the hatchways, and flames seemed to envelop the whole ship. i The captain thinks the. fire might have been caused by spontaneous combustion or by an infernal machine in the hold. Most of the crew are in a low state, and are unable to sleep. THE SONOMA'S CREW. Received This Morning, 1.20 o'clock. SYDNEY, February 27. The Sonoma's crew have been released with the exception of eleven, who are held on a charge of being prohibited immigrants.

THE NAVUA ROBBERY. Received This Morning, 1.20 o'clock. SYDNEY, February 27. Manning and Christie, arrested in connection with the Navua gold robbery, were before the Water Police Court to-day. Detective, Walker said that owing to instructions from the Auckland police he had no evidene to offer. Accused were discharged. They subsequently left for Auckland. STATE ELECTIONS. Received This Morning, 1.20 o'clock. MELBOURNE, February 27. Writs for the State elections have been issued, and the polling has been fixed for March 15th.