AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8392, 8 April 1907, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

STEAMER SERIOUSLY DAMAGED. Received April 7, 4.42 p.m. SYDNEY, April 7. Beports from uabo Island state that in think weather, at 3.30 this morning, the steamer Eastby struck Skerries Reef. The bottom of the vessel was seriously damaged. The water gained rapidly, and the steamer was beached in Gabo Harbour, where the. sea is smooth.

DEATH OF A STALLION,

Received April 7, 4.42 p.m. SYDNEY, April 7. The blood stallion Sir Foote returned home from Sydney .Show, where he took champion prize for the best horse exhibited, on Thursday, and died yesterday.

ISLAND ORGIES

SYDNEY, April 6. Reports to hand by a German steamer state that cannibalism is rampant in the Sir Charles Hardy group of islands. The Governor and a party penetrated the bush and discovered abundant proofs of cannibalistic feasts. All the villages were destroyed as a punishment. Eleven ringleaders were arrested. <"' The islanders are described as the worst lot of cannibals in the South Seas.

THE RIVER COLLISION. LAUNCESTON, April 6. Five bodies of those lost in the launch Alice, which was sunk by the steamer Togos in the Tamar River, have been recovered.

WOOLLEN MILLS IN SYDNEY,

SYDNEY, April 6. A movement is afoot to establish woollen mills in Sydney, with a capital of £IOO,OOO. It is understood that the required amount has been subscribed, half locally and half in London.

UNIQUE POSITION,

ADELAIDE, April 6. A unique position has arisen in connection with the wreck on the West Australian coast, of the A.U.S.N. Company's steamer Mildura. After the crew left a resident of Onslow boarded the ship, and he now claims possession. According to the shipping law, the vessel cannot be regarded as abandoned while anything alive is aboard, and some of the cattle are still alive. The local manager of the A.U.S.N. Company, and Lloyd's surveyors, have since boarded the ship. Both parties claim possession and are withstanding the horrors of the decomposing cattle in order to substantiate their claims.

SCULLING

GEORGE TOWNS RELINQUISHES . THE CHAMPIONSHIP.

Received April 8, 1.15 a.m. SYDNEY, April 7. Geo. Towns has relinquished the sculling championship of the world to his brother, Charles. It is believed that Charles Towns' first match will be with Webb, of Wanganui.

BOATING FATALITY

TWO MEN DROWNED

Received April '6, 1.15 a.m. SYDNEY, April 7. A boat containing nine men capsized three miles off Bondi during a squall. Two of the men, named Jackman and Bassman, were drowned. The remainder drifted on the upturned boat for two hours, and were rescued by the pilot of a steamer in an exhausted condition.