AUSTRALIAN ITEMS.

Waikato Argus, Volume XV, Issue 6035, 4 August 1903, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN ITEMS.

RAILWAY ACCIDENT. Peeth, August 3. A serious railway accident occarred at Broad Arrsw. The Northern Goldfields express was approaching the station, and the engine and first carriage had passed over the points in safety. The second carriage, however, which contained ~" 30 passengers, split the points, and toppled over. The four remaining carriages, containing many passengers, swerved on to the loop line. Luckily they kept the rails. The seven passengers who were injured are as follows : Martin Nicholson, compound fracture of the collarbone, with penetratien of lung; serious. F. J. Stanton, injury to spine. Mesdatnes Williams, Sharp (2), and Phillips, and Miss Warren, injuries to head and severe shock. The official theory is that the accident was caused by the failure to lock the points, subsequent vibration causing them to shift out of place.

SMALLPOX. Launceston, August 3. Two fresh cases of smallpox have been reported. Latjnceston, August 4. Three fresh cases of small-pox are reported, bringing the total since the outbreak to 59. Hobart, August 4. The captain of the Paparoa refused to take the mails for New Zealand, even though fumigated. They will now have to go via Launceston.

SYDNEY'S NEW THEATRE. Sydney, August 3. Her Majesty's Theatre. Mr J. C. Williainßou's splendid new building to replace the one burned down on March 22, 1902, was successfully reopened on Saturday before an appreciative audience. The whole of the proceeds weia devoted to charity. FRENCH CONVICTS AND NEW CALEDONIA. Sydney, August 3. The Noumean papers just received denv that a new batch of convicts is being sent from France, and state on the contrary a stronger determination than ever exists to let the convict system die out. ME KINGSTON'S SUCCESSOR Melbourne, Augusts Cabinet has discussed the question of a successor to Mr Kingston, pending his final decision, which is expected to-morrow, as to whether he will re-accept office. Nothing is decided yet. FATE OF A MISSING KETCH. Hobaht, August 3. The fate of the fishing ketch Chris, which has been missing since early last month, has been revealed by the finding of the dinghy and the body of one of the crew.

OBITUARY. Sydney, August 3. Mr James Ewen, ex-member of the firm of Messrs John Fraser and Co., and prominent in commercial circles, is dead.

FEDERAL CUSTOMS. Melbourne, August 3. The Federal Customs receipts to July total £854,000, exceeding the estimate by £125,000.

DEATH OF DR. WEBBER. Brisbane, August 3. Dr. Webber, Bishop of Brisbane, is dead. He had been ailing ever since his return from his mission to England, undertaken to raise funds for diocesan purposes.

HEAVY RAINFALL. Sydney. August 3. The weather has ceased. Over 7 inches of rain fell at Jervis Bay, and 2] at Sydney in the last two days.