AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 2865, 22 November 1890, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(BIT ELECTRIO TELEGRAPH.-COPVBIOHT.)

Sydney, November 19. At tlie intercolonial conference of builders and contractors it was decided to federate the various societies. Tt was agreed to adopt uniform conditions of contract and tie law of lien.

Kemp and McLean have made a match for £300 a-side and the championship of the world. It has been decided to send a doctor to Gonnany to inquire into Dr. Koch's specific for consumption. The largest illicit distillery ever unearthed in the colony was discovered to-day in a produce merchant's pre raises in the city. Three stills in full working and a large quantity of whisky were seized. Some anxiety is felt for the safety of the barqueiitine Edith May, which left I'ort Chalmers for this port 45 days ago.

Meluoukne, November 20. The Canadian Government have approved of tho postponement of the departure of Mr J. J. C. Abbot, leader of tho Government in the Canadian Senate, who was appointed Commissioner to visit Australia for the purpose of promoting trade relations with the colonies. Mr Abbot will probably leave in March.

A locust plague in sonic country districts is reaching ulunuitig proportions, find the greater portion of the vegetables, flowers, and herbage in Kerang(lßo miles north-west of Melbourne), have falleu victims to the pest. The insects travel at the rate of several miles per day, and the surface of the river Loddeu. which runs through the district, is in many places black with tli<: bodies of crowds of locust:).