AUSTRALIAN ITEMS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3072, 17 December 1908, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN ITEMS.

an exciting experience.

Whilst engaged netting, near North Shore, Port Arlington, Victoria, last week, iJames Wilson, a local fisherman and a couple of companions, had an excising adventure. They were "lying on the shot" when they heard a peculiar flapping noise in the water near the bow of the boat. One of the crew made a thrust with an oar at what proved to be a seal, almost 12ft in length. The animal yUowsd fight, and again tried to climb on board. This occurred several times, and the occupants of the boat considered it advisable to remain quiet. They threw fish overboard, which the seal eagerly devoured, but did not again attempt to enter the boat. ' When daylight broke the seal seemed con- ' tent, but remained in the vicinity. The fishermen sailed away, as the < seal hai scared the fish. MURDER OR ACCIDENT. -»*. The body of Albert Frederick Eastaway, 32, a Customs agent, of Market Street, Melbourne, was found on the ledge of the drainage channel running into the Yarra at Victoria Street bridge last waek. A large gash was in the back of his head, and the fact that blood spots led down from the body to the water, and from the body up the embankment, suggested foul play at first; but the police hearing that deceased bad been drinking heavily, believe -now that the man fell from the bridge into the water, his head striking a rock, and causing death after he had dragged himself out of the water on to the ledge. The deceased leaves a widow and child. VOTING IN A TRAIN. At the instance of Mr Mitchell, the subjoined new clause was added to the South Australian Electoral Bill:—"The returning officer for the district of the Northern Territory may set apart a compartment in the lirain travelling on the Port DarwinPine Creek railway, in the Northern Territory, as a polling-place for the Electors may vote in such compartment, wherever' such train may stop, from time to time, and whilst the train is so stopping, during the hours set apart for polling for an election." RAILWAY DINING CAR. Passengers on the Sydney express last week had the privilege for the first time of dining on board the train. It is claimed for the dining car provided that it is the most commodious in use on any railway in the world. There is accommodation for ssat:ng 42 passengers at one time. The car is divided into first and second clas9 diningrooms. In the first saloon the tariff will be 4s for dinner ai}d 3s tor breakfast or luncheon. The charges in the second saloon will be 3s for dinner and 2s for breakfast or luncheon. Tea, sandwiches, and fruit luncheons will be obtainable at cheaper rates. EQUINE INFLUENZA. An epidemic of influehza has broken out among horsies at Hobart. Many are afFerted, and some have died. The disease, it is believed, has been introduced by imported horses.

FATAL CASES OF SNAKEBITE. A boy named George James, of Mount kembla, New South Wales, aged six yeafs. was bitten on the foot by a black snake last week. With-two other children he was on his way home from school. He trod un the snake barefooted, and it fastened its fangs in his toe, and had to be beaten off. Death, occurred next day. The boy's father lost his life in the Mount Kembla disaster some yeqrs ago. Ronald Whitechurch, a lad, saw a bird on the ground at Seymour, Victoria, and ran to catch it. As he did so he stood on a large black snake, and was bitten on the leg. He was immediately attended by his father, who cut out the wound and tied a ligature around the leg. Subsequently he was brought to a doctor. Serious symntoms developed during the day, and "he died 24 hours later. At Neerim South, Victoria, Woodburn Taylor trod on a black snake at che edge of a creek, and wan bitten. He tied a bootlace above the wound, which he scarified and sucked. He suffered no ill-effect. Stanley Giliies was lying in bed in the Fulham hut, near Balmoral., Victoria, when he was bitten on the finger by a tiger snake. Ligatures were applied, with successful results.