AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 2729, 9 January 1890, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[by electric telegraph.-—copyuumit.] Sydney, January 7. The inquest on those killed at the collapse of the olil Volunteer Artillery Hotel on Friday last comineuced to-day, vvheu the jury found 1 hat the City Corporation were guilty of great negligence. The coroner intimated to the jury that tho verdict was tantamount to one of manslaughter, but the jury declined to alter their verdict. Reports have just come to hand from the chief wheat districts that the crops are suffering very materially from the ravages of rust. The steamer Centennial will be apprised and sold to satisfy the elaiina of the owner of the collier Kauahooka. January S. The Stock Department will not allow the foxes on board the Zealaudia, to be landed, unless sent to the Zoological Gardens. Meleocene, January 7. Buxtou's six-storey stationer's repository was destroyed by fire to-day. A fireman gallantly rescued the caretaker from the top storey. The damage is estimated at £11,000. The following New Zealand offices are interested iu the fire at Levy's :— National, £1000 ; Colonial, £500 ; Union, £1000. Messrs Dalgetty and Co. report of their wool s;iles, which re-opened to-day, as follows: Wβ offered 8300 bales to a crowded attendance of buyers. The sale passed off with great spirit. Prices for the bulk of the wools were fully Jd higher than, before the holidays. We sold 3200 bales, realising for good greasy merino to lljd ; for greasy crossbred, to IHd; for scoured merino, to 2Q*Li.j(iid for washed, to 16d. January 8, Insolvencies in this colony during the past year, show liabilities to £2,200,000, while assets are set down at £2,500,000. _ Pekth, January 7. By the boat accident yesterday four men, named Tuakey, Evans (2), and Woodhouse, lost their lives. I =