AUSTRALIAN ITEMS.

Waikato Argus, Volume XIV, Issue 1592, 26 June 1903, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN ITEMS.

SMALLPOX IN TASMANIA. Hobakt. June 25. The paesengers and crew of the Tqkomaru landed, despite the instructions of the health officer. Everything possible is being done to prevent the sDread of smallpox to Hobart. The " mails and persons travelling by the mail .rains are fumigated. A scare waß caused hero when a patient admitted to the hospital showed symptoms similar to those of smallpox, but which proved to.De those of chicken-pox. There has been one fresh case of smallpox. At Launceston yesterday the Board of Health suggested isolating the town. It is now stated that there is no doubt that the disease was brought hy the Gracchus' passenger since the first patient had contact with him, and developed smallpox a fortnight Sydney, June 25. The Huddart Parker steamer Anglian was quarantined en her arrival from Hobart. . In future all Tasmanian vessels will call at Eden for inspection prior to coming to Sydney. NEW ZEALAND WOOL FOK THE CONTINENT. Sydney, June 24. WnH reference to the direct shipment of New Zealand wools to the Continent, proposals in connection with the matter and of arranging a direct steam line have been submitted io the European principals of those moving in the matter. It is understood that if a scheme is evolved the producers of New Zealand will receive|Cash down for their wool. "While the trade in crossbreds is not perhaps large at present, foreign buyers believe it can be largely developed.

THE NEW HORBQE. Melbourne, June 25. Mr Justice Hood, in sentencing a boy for assault on a girl, said that his experience of these cases was rapidly strengthening him in the opinion that there was a class o.' young people growing up here who live between men and savages so far as the sexual relation was concerned. The girls knew neither virtue nor modesty, and the boys neither honour nor honesty. They apparently feared the laws of r ither God nor man. THE ESSEX. Sydney, June 25. It is expected that the discharging of No. 5 hold of the Essex will be completed to-day. A large quantity of the contents, principally oats, have been damaged, but the damage is not so seriouß ai was at first anticipated. No arrangements have jet been made to transfer the passengers and cargo to another steamer. Arrangements have been made to transfer the whole of the Essex' cargo and passengers to the Morayshire. A SHIPPING CONFERENCE. Melbourne, JuDe 25. A conference as to shippers' interests is being held under au agreement made in December last, which provided that if the state of the shipping trade was considered to warrant it, ■wagt-1 would be educed. The press was excluded. The conference is expected to concludo to-day. An amicable settlement is believed to have been reached. NEW ZEALAND-BOUND BARQUE ASHORE. Adelaide, June 25. The barque West Australian, which left Edithburgb for New Zealand yesterday with a cargo of 900 tons of salt, ran ashore at Troubridge Island. Her position is not dangerous, and she is expected to be floated by a tug, which has been sent to her assistance. THE FEDERAL TREASURY. Melbojrne, June 25. The Federal Trc usurer experts that the year will end with a surplus of about three-quarters of a million over the estimate. Of this amount about £450,000 willcomo from fodder duties, wtich he did not expect, and from £60,000 of excise. THE FEDEBAL SENATE. Melbourne, June 25. In the Federal House all the amendments to the High Court Bill ■were carried against the Government ■I Reducing the number of judges from 'fr.\ ive to three, including the Chief Jus- • "tice. N.S.W. POLITICS. Sydney, June 25. Tbs censure debate is still going strong, with no sign of a division.