AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8412, 30 April 1907, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

THE LOSS OP THE NORMA. Received April 29, 10.10 a.m. ADELAIDE, April 29. fAt the inquest on Johnson, who was drowned when the barque Norma was run down by the Ardencraig, the captain of the Norma stated that the captain of the Ardencraig explained to him that the collision was due to the helmsman putting the helm down when he was, told to put it up.

VANCOUVER MAIL SERVICE. Received April 29, 10.10 a.m. MELBOURNE, April 29. The Postmaster-General states that when a new contract is called for to carry on the Vancouver service, it is the intention of Sir James Laing (one of the leading members of the much-discussed mail contract syndicate) to submit an offer.

INFORMAL VOTES.

Received April 29, 8.28 a.m. MELBOURNE, April 29. Official statistics of the late Federal elections show that one hundred thousand informal votes were cast. The informalities are attributed in many cases to the officials taking an altogether too technical view of their duties, and rejecting papers when the intention of the elector was clear, although not expressed with precision.

COAL LUMPERS' STRIKE,

Received April„29, 10.10 a.m. SYDNEY, April 29,

The Steam Collier Owners' and Stevedores' Association has issued twenty summonses against members of the Coat Lumpers' Unions for penalties for alleged breaches of the Arbitration Court's award.

VICTUALLING THE NAVY. * Received April 29, 11.38 p.m. SYDNEY, April 29. A deputation representing the Chamber of Manufacturers called the attention of the Premier to the apparent neglect in respect to using Australian produce in victualling the Navy on the Australian Station. One speaker admitted that the meat industry was fairly treated by the Naval authorities, but said that the War Office had not given New South Wales a fair chance to tender for Army requirements. Other speakers alleged that the Navy obtained many lines from England which could be supplied here. The Premier promi tied to give attention to the matter.

A REMARKABLE ACCIDENT.

Received April 29, 11.58 p.m.

SYDNEY, April 29

A somewhat remarkable accident occurred at Bulli when a length of abou,t 260.feet of the large jetty at the Bulli Colliery suddenly disappeared into the sea. Fifteen trucks containing 150 tons of coal disappeared with the structure. The total loss is estimated at £5,000. The cause of the collapse is unaccountable. REDUCTION OF CABLE RATES. Received April 29, 11.58 p.m. , ; MELBOURNE, April 29. The Postmaster expresses sympathy with Sir J. G. Ward's proposal to secure a reduction of the cable rates to a shilling per word or even less. The trouble was that the Government concerned controlled the cable only between Vancouver and Australia, the rest of the lines being privately owned.