AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8987, 23 November 1907, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[ RAILWAY ACCIDENT. A PASSENGER KILLED. Received November 21, 10.18 a.m. SYDNEY, November 21. The locomotive of a train was derailed near Forrest, and fell into the river Barwon. A sawmill proprietor named Sanderson was killed and three other men were badly injured. MOTORING. A WORLD'S RECORD. Received November 21, 10.18 a.m. SYDNEY, November 22. The world's record for a continuous run of 24 hours over roads is now held by Stevens and H. B. James with a 40-horse power Darracq. They covered 777 miles in the time, or 171 miles better than the American record. (The previous best record put up in Australia was by C. B. Kellow and H. B. James, who covered 556 miles in 24 hours over roads in May, 1906. The 24 hours' track record is held by J. Clemens, of Indianapolis (U.S.A.), who covered 1,094 miles in November, 1905). FEDERAL POLITICS.

SENATE'S NEW OPPOSITION LEADER. Received Novmber 22, 10 a.m. MELBOURNE, November 22. The Hon. E. D. Millen has been elected Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, vice Sir Josiah Symon, who has resigned the position. HOTEL METROPOLE TRAGEDY. MURDER AND SUICIDE. Received November 22, 9.45 p.m. SYDNEY, November 22. The verdict or the jury in the Hotel Metropole tragedy was that Lister King wilfully slew his wife and then committed suicide. VIRUS FOR RABBITS. REPORT ON DR. D/N7SZ'S EXPERIMENTS. Received November 2*3, 12.22 a.m. SYDNEY, November 22.

Dr. Tidsjvell, who, as the represen tative of the Federal and State Governments, watched the Dr Danysz virus for rabbits experiments, has presented his report. Ha finds that the efficiency of the virus as a destroyer of rabbits ha« not been demonstrated, and that although the microbe might be made to infect certain small animals, there was no reason to apperehend danger from its practical uss. He points out that similar, or at least indistinguishable, virus had been known tor years, and its natural behaviour on the mainland had not sufficed to keep (he rabbits in check, and no results had come out of the experiments to indicate that the virus could be artificially manipulated with greater efficiency. There need be no apprehension of danger to human beings from its use, while the risk to other animals was remote.

QUEENSLAND POLITICS. GOVERNOR GRANTS DISSOLUTION. Received November 22, 12.1 a.m. BRISBANE, November^. At a joint meeting of Kidstonites and Labourites all the members signed a memorial protesting against the dissolution of Parliament being granted at the present juncture. , When the Assembly met to-day, Mr Philp gave formal notice for granting Supply prior to dissolution. Mr Kidston moved an amendment that before Supply is granted a memorial be presented to the Governor protesting against a dissolution. Mr Kidston's amendment was carried by 37 votes to 27, and the House adjourned to enable the petition to be presented to the Governor. When the Assembly reassembled the speaker announced that the Governor had replied' declining to withdraw the dissolution. The Governor thought it would be better that the country should express an opinion on the situation. Mr Philp moved the adjournment of the House. The debate is proceeding.