AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8451, 31 May 1907, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

REPATRIATED AUSTRALIANS. Received May 30, 8.36 a.m. MELBOURNE, May 30. The steamer Atlantic has arrived with 400 Australians, who were stranded in South Africa. AUSTRALASIAN MAILS. Received May 30, 10.14 a.m., SYDNEY, May 30. Matters in with the Vancouver service are still pending. There is a probability of the service, if placed on greatly improved lines, becoming the principal medium of conveyance of the English mails. This view is evidently before the mind of the Federal Government as an alternative if the Mail Syndicate's contract falls through. It is well-known that the Post-master-General (Mr Chapman) has a leaning towards the Canadian route, and favours the work being carried out, if possible, by an Australian company. P. AND O. SERVICE. Received May 30, 8.48 a.m. LONDON. May 29. The Peninsular and Oriental Company's subsidy is £305,000. The saving in time from Brindisi to Adelaide is 36 hours on the outward voyage, and 24 hours on the homeward voyage.

AGAIN ON TRIAL. Received May 30, 11.8 p.m. SYDNEY. May 30. Richard Riley, who killed Rose Arnold, a barmaid, formerly of New Zealand, fifteen months ago, and was sentenced to death at the timei for murder, and who was subsequently placed in an asylum as insane, recently recovered his sanity. The medical evidence at the time showed that he was suffering from delusional mania. Riley has placed on tr'al again. The prisoner made a statement that the insanity was produced by mental troubles occasioned by the girl. He did not feel as a guilty man, nor did he bear a guilty conscience. It had pleased God to deprive him of his reason, and' He would not hold him responsible for what he did in that state. SEVERE EARTH TREMOR. Received May 30, 11.30 p.m. ADELAIDE, May 30. A severe earth tremor was felt at Narracoorte, this morning, accompanied by a loud rumbling. The vi-" brations were short, but the noise continued for several seconds. STEAMER IN A HEAVY GALE. Received May 30, 11.20 p.m. SYDNEY, May 30. The steamer Mokoia experienced a' heavy south-west gale during the first three days out. HIDES MARKET. Received May 30, 11.30 p.m. MELBOURNE, May 30. ' The hides market is steady. Good conditioned lots are being disposed of at prices in sellers' favour. METHODIST CONFERENCE. Received May 31, 1.15 a.m. SYDNEY, May 30. The Methodist General Conference has opened. The Rev. Mr Williams, of Victoria, has been elected President.