AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8475, 29 June 1907, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

STRIKE OF SHIPMASTERS. Received June 28, 10.27 a.m. NEWCASTLE, June 28. A novel st-ike of shipmasters has occurred against a regulation issued by the Railway Commissioners. With a view to preventing the congestion of shipping at the loading cranes, lines were imposed for delay unless the vessels were detained at the cranes by stress of weather or want of a pilot. As a protest, the shipmasters resolved not to go alongside the cranes, with the result that loaded trucks are piling up in the railway yards. As no empties are being returned, the mines are likely to be thrown idle.

HURRICANE IN THE CAROLINE ISLANDS. GREAT LOSS OF LIFE. Received Jane 28, 10.27 a.m. SYDNEY, June 28. News has been received that the Caroline Group has been devastated by a hurricane. Many small islands were swept by th§ sea. On the Island of Uiie most of the native inhabitants were washed away. It is estimated tjiat 260 people perished in the group. Native food is scarce. A schooner foundered, and most of the crew were drowned. Twenty persons were killed at Halief Island by the hurricane. SCHOOL CHILDREN INJURED. Received June 28, 10.47 a.m. MELBOURNE, June 28. While thirty scholars, under the charge of their teachers, were standing on a staging at Fitzroy Gasworks, the platform collapsed, and all were precipitated on to a pavement, a distance of twenty feet. Five were removed to the hospital. Others sustained slighter injuries. VALUE OF ADVERTISING. Received June 28, 10.47 a.m. MELBOURNE, June 28. Sir Wm. Lyne, Commonwealth Minister for Trade and Customs, considers thi.t Australia must do something to advertise herself in England. Mr Deakin agrees with him that some means ought to be adopted for sending an assortment of news to London, either by a subsidy to the Press Association or by some other means. EARTHQUAKE AT THURSDAY ISLAND. Received June 29, 1.10 a.m. ISLAND, June 28. Two shocks of earthquake occurred last night, and were preceded by two severe explosions, which caused the residents to rush into the streets, believing that the military magazine had hlown up. Later another heavy detonation occurred, followed by a long series of low rumbling.