AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8410, 26 April 1907, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

COAL LUMPERS' STRIKE. Received April 25, 11.27 p.m. SYDNEY, April 25. Strike matters are quiet. The strikers round the Employers' Bureau and the ships that are coaling are much fewer and less demonstrative. Free labourers are allowed to pass almost unnoticed. The, Coal Lumpers' Union are making overtures to the Seamen's and Wharf Labourers' Unions to join in the issue of carrying on the struggle. At a meeting of lumpers, to-day, Mr Watson was. present and discussed the situation, It is reported that the meeting favoured a conference with the en> plovers with a view to arriving at a. settlement.

SMALL EARTH TREMOR. Received April 25, 9.40 p.m. SYDNEY, April 25. ■ The Government astronomer reports that the seismograph at the Observatory recorded a small earth tremor at 9.30 this morning. The extent will not be known till the seismograph is opened next week.

ATTEMPT TO WRECK A TRAIN. Received April 25, 10.23 a.m. MELBOURNE, April 25. An attempt was made to wreck the Sydney express at Kilmore. Seventeen sleepers were placed on the track, which sleepers the train swept aside. ' A man named Ryan has been arrested, and has admitted that it was his intention to wreck the train. He is apparently demented.

SCULLING. Received April 25, 9.46 p.m. SYDNEY, April 25. Durnan, the Canadian, has cabled a challenge to ro.w Geo. Towns for the world's championship in England. Durnan is evidently unaware that George Towns has handed the.championship to his brother Charlie. When Durnan was here he expressed his willingness to row either of the brothers. It is considered likely that Charlie Towns is willing to accept the challenge. Both the brothers are absent in the country.

DISASTROUS FIRE.

Received April 25, 9A9 a.m. PERTH, April 25. The most disastrous fire in the history of the city has occurred here. It completely gutted Sandover and Company's large four-story hardware establishment. The fire started in a cellar amongst paint;,*and benzine, and spread with tremendous rapidity. There was a heavy stock of explosives in the cellar. Hajf the firemen attacked the flames, and the remainder entered the explosives department, and singly secured parcels, which they removed into safety. work was dangerous, owing to the explosion of cartridges. The fire raged for hours, and traffic in the adjoining streets was suspended. White and . Company's and Mackay's drapery establishments were considerably, and other places slightly, damaged. Sandover's insurances are £46,034, but it is stated this does not represent anything like the loss. The uther premises are insured.