AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8376, 9 March 1907, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

"THE COMET."

AN EXCITING EXPERIENCE. Received March 9, 1.10 a.m. MELBOURNE, March 8. One thousand two hundred persons who had assembled at the Williamstown Gardens Reserve to witness a fireworks display had an exciting experience. A quantity of fireworks were stored under a platform round which the audience were standing, and someone excitedly shouted "The comet," almost simultaneously with the quick succession of explosions. Clouds of smoke rose, and there was a scene of wild excitement, everyone shouting "The Comet."

The majority of the people, includin the band, fled. Others lay flat on I the ground. Rockets and other fireworks started from under the platform, and chased and terrorised the people in all direc. tions, whilst various coloured fires added to the conviction that the earth was passing through the tail of Matteucci's Comet. <

One-man, who was hit by a "comet stick" was rendered unconscious.

Another man had a boxer hat transfixed. A third rocket started a fire m a house.

Numbers of women fainted and children screamed with terror.

Some boys created the panic by prematurely firing the fireworks beneath the platform. (A cablegram from Rome on February 24th stated that Professor Matteucci, director of the Observatory at Mount Vesuvius, declared that at the end of March the substance of the comet discovered by Marchetti will come in contact with the earth's atmosphere, causing some danger). RABBIT VIRUS. Received March 8, 10 a.m. SYDNEY, March 8. Dr. Dansyz reports that so far as his experiments at Broughton Island have gone, they show that it is likely there will be nothing to fear from the virus for man and for animals other than the rabbit. He has great hopes to prove this contention absolutely. FEDERAL MAIL CONTRACT. Received March 8, 10 a.m. MELBOURNE, March 8. Mr Clark, representative of the syndicate which holds the Australian mails contract, claims that he has received advice from London that all that was expected in the way of raising the money there has now been achieved. THE SONOMA'S STRIKERS. Received March 8, 10 a.m. SYDNEY, March 8. The Secretary of the Seamen's Union has cabled to the Secretary of the San Francisco Union informing him of the destitute condition of the released members of the crew of the Sau Francisco mail steamer Sonoma, and asking him to whom application for assistance can be made, or whether arrangements can be made with Mr Spreckels for the return of the men by the Sierra.

NEW HEBRIDES AGREEMENT.

Received March 8, 8.20 a.m. MELBOURNE, March 8,

In connection with the statement of Mr Winston.Churchill, Under-Sec-retary for the Colonies, that Sir Everard Im Thurn, High Commissioner for the Pacific, had been consulted with reference to the New Hebrides agreement, a memorandum which has been published shows that the High Commissioner condemned the Commonwealth policy as regards the Islands. Mr Deakin, Federal Premier, replied justifying the policy. MOUNT LYELL RETURNS. Received March 8, 8.20 a.m. MELBOURNE, March 8. At Mount Lyell, from January 31st to February 28th, 30,682 tons of ore were treated, also 299 tons of purchased ore, and yielded 600 tons of blister copper, containing 593 tons of copper, 53,0170z of silver, and 1,5230z of gold. BUSH FIRES. Received March 8, 8.20 a.m. BRISBANE, March 8. The biggest bush fire on record is devastating the Longreach district, 425 miles (by rail) west of Rockhampton. The fire covers hundreds of miles. NORFOLK ISLAND MAGISTRACY. Received March 8, 8.20 a.m. • NORFOLK ISLAND, March 8. Captain Elliot was sworn in as chief magistrate, in the presence of a large gathering. SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP. Received March 8, 11.15 p.m. SYDNEY, March 8. An interesting development has occurred in connection with the sculling championship. Charlie Towns, brother and trainer of the champion, has challenged his brother George, and also lodged a deposit. The rumour is again revived of George Towns' intention to retire from the championship. PAPUAN LAND ORDNANCE. Received March 8, 11.15 p.m. MELBOURNE, March 8. Under the new Papuan Land Ordnance, Kitchen and Son, of Melbourne, have applied for a lease of 5,000 acres in New Guinea for plantation purposes. f

CABLE NEWS.

By Telegraph—Pi ess Association—Copvrieht