AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8514, 20 August 1907, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

A MINING FATALITY. Received August 19, 9.15 a.m. SYDNEY, August 19. Two men, named Whiddy and Thomas, were killed by a fall of earth at the British Mine at Broken Hill. ALLEGED ILLEGAL TRADE. Received August 19, 9 a.m. « MELBOURNE, August 19. Steps are being taken to check the alleged illegal trade by French traders iq the New Hebrides. FISHING VESSEL WRECKED. Received August 19, 9 a.m. BRISBANE, August 19. A Japanese fishing vessel was wrecked at the Barrier Reef on August 3rd. The crew, comprising fifteen Australian natives and Japanese, took to four small boats. Two of the boats, containing eight men in a bad condition, were picked up on Tuesday. The others are missing, and are supposed to have been drowned. THE FEDERAL TARIFF. Received August 19, 9.15 a.m. SYDNEY, August 19.

Sir William Lyne says that the rough corners may be taken off the Federal tariff, but it was not going to be cut down to make a low tariff. Both the manufacturer and woi-king man was going to be protected, and the consumer was not going to be exploited. SAD DROWNING FATALITY. Received August 19, 9.15 a.m. HOBART, August 19. A boat containing three men, who were attempting to get the mails from the wrecked steamer Kawatiri, capsized. Two of the men, Oscar Dale, assistant lighthousekeeper at Macqnarie Heads, and Ware were drowned. Dale's brother was rescued. Dale showed conspicuous bravery at the time of wreck and saved several passengers. A STEAMER ON FIRE. Received August 19, 9.48 a.m. FREMANTLE, August 19. The steamer Seydlitz has arrived. She reports sighting on the 11th instant, in latitude 5 degrees 28min east, longitude 90 degrees 35min south, the Currie liner Fortunatus. The vessel was ablaze, her deck being all burned out, and the hull bulged on both sides. She was still watertight, but had a strong list to port. The Fortunatus \yas flying the signals "In distress," and "We want help." The Seydlitz got close up, but it was impossible to board the unfortunate vessel. All the boats were missing. A sharp look-out was kept for several days, but nothing was seen of them.

The captain of the Seydlitz considers the burning vessel a great danger to navigation, as she is in the direct track from Colombo to Fremantle. She will probably float for a long time, as she is in a region of calms. The Fortunatus is 34 days out from Calcutta to Melbourne, with a large general cargo. Received August 19, 3.7 p.m. SYDNEY, August 19. A cable has been received announcing that the crew of the Fortunatus have been picked up and landed at Mauritius.

Received August 20, 12.56 a.m. | SYDNEY, August 19. i The Fortunatus' cargo is valued at £IOO,OOO. All the leading marine offices are involved. The vessel had at least 2,000 tons of tea on board. A FREE FIGHT. Received August 19, 10.18 a.m ADELAIDE, August 19. The lacrosse match on Saturday, between Australia and Canada, was marked by very rough play, culminating in a free fight and the interference of the police. Camplin, a Canadian, and Noblett, an Australian, were ordered off the field. RABBIT EXTERMINATION.

Received August ]9, 9.15 a.m. SYDNEY, August 19. The final test of Dr. Danjsz's virus under natural conditions will be ma:le at iiroughton Island. A DASTARDLY DEED. Received August 19, 10 a.m. ADELAIDE, August 19. An attempt at a dastardly outrage was discovered just prior to the running of the National Steeplechase on Saturday, when it was found that two big holes had been dug on the takeoff side of the last fence, the holes being then covered with boards, topdressed with earth. The ground was repaired before the race. There is no clue to the perpetrators of th 3 outrage, but the police are investigating the matter. SHIPPING. Received August 20, 12.36 a.m. SYDNEY, August 19. Arrived — Queen Christina, from Auckland.