Australian.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 3170, 3 April 1889, Page 2

Australian.

Sydney, April 1. It is understood that the Government have, decided to renew the San Francisco mail contract for a term of one year, oa the ground that the proposals for the carriage of mails via Canada require grave consideration, and in renewing the - contract with the owners of the San Francisco steamers the Government have made it a condition that only white labour is to be employed in their boats. Sydney, April 2. The survivors from the German warships will be forwarded Home on 24th April. They are expected to "arrive in Sydney next week. It has been - suggested that a demonstration should be held to mark the appreciation of the skill of the officers of H.M.S, Calliope in saving their ship from the general wreck; also that steps should be taken to acknowledge the bravery of the Samoans who assisted in rescuing the men from the warships. His Excellency the Governor has forwarded a message of sympathy to the German and American Consuls connection with the loss of life at j Samoa. Melbourne, April 2. I A small fire occurred in the newly-erected .Federal Coffee Palace in Collins-street, and the panic stricken people in the building turned the water on, everywhere, doing immense damage. j While a doctor oamed Taafe was entering his buggy at Rochester a man named Gaflhey, who was standing on the balcony of the hotel, fired at and wounded him severely. Gaffney then turned his weapon on himself with fatal effect. Tha doctor is in a critical condition. Gaffney was his dispenser, and Taafe, suspecting there was something wrong with his accounts suspended him.