AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9090, 15 May 1908, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

CABLE NEWS.

United l'ress Associ.iiion—Hy Electric Telegraph copyright.

THE WAKANUI IN A THUNDER-

STOKM

Received May 14, 9. J 5 a.m. SYDNEY, May 14. The New Zealand Shipping Company's steamer Wakanui, on her passage here from New Zealand, encountered a violent thunderstorm in the Tasman Sea.

The foremast was struck by light ning, which splintered the top.

THE LOSS OF THE BEGA. ENQUIRY ADJOURNED. Received May 14, 9.55 a.m. SYDNEY, May 14. The enquiry into the loss of the Illawarra Company's steamer Bega lias been adjourned to June 15th, to enable experts to prepare their evidence. STEAMER OVERDUE. Received May 14, 10.5 a.m. MELBOURNE, May 14. A steamer has been sent in search of the small steamer Orion, which was due here from Tasmania at the end of last week. SEQUEL TO A STRIKE. Received May 14, 9.55 a.m. ;. SYDNEY, May 14. The Burwood colliery has again had to suspend operations. A number of the wheelers were lately lined for striking. Some elected to go to prison. The others refuse to work until their mates are released. THE AMERICAN FLEET. Received May 14, 10.5 a.m. MELBOURNE, May 14. Mr Deakin has received official information that the American fleet will coal at Auckland and at Albany.

THE LATE MR KINGSTON. A STATE FUNERAL. Received May 14, 10.5 a.m. . ADELAIDE, May 14. In acknowledgement ot tne late Right Hon. C. C. Kingston's services to Australia, his remains were accorded a State funeral. There was a very large attendance of the public. IRRIGATION. A VICTORIAN PROJECT. Received May 14, 10.5 a.m. MELBOURNE, May 14. The Victorian Government is considering a scheme to irrigate 850,000 acres at a cost of five millions, which would enable an additional half-mill-ion people to settle on the land.

ABHORRENCE OF WAR. Received May 14, 9.55 a.m. SYDNEY, May 14

The State Minister for Education (Hon. J. R. Hague) gave a favourable reply to the request of the Peace Society that abhorrence of war should be inculcated through the public schools.

Ar. the same time, the Minister pointed out that the people must be prepared for a possible Asiatic invasion. NEW SOUTH WALES FINANCE. BIG SURPLUS ANTICIPATED. Received May 14, 9.55 a.m. SYDNEY, May 14. The State Treasurer anticipates that the financial year will _ end with a surplus of over a million and ahalf. RIFLE SHOOTING. INTEREST DECREASING. Received Mav 14, 0.55 a.m. SYDNEY, May 14. At the meeting of the Rifla Association it was stated that interest among the partially paid forces in rifie shooting was steadily decreasing. Last year 5 per, cent, of the members refrained from participating in the association's matches. PLAGUE PATIENT DEAD. Received May 15, 12.5S a.m. SYDNEY, May 14. The North Sydney plague patient is dead.