AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 2875, 16 December 1890, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

•|!Y ELECTRIC T ;i,..u.lAi'ii rOPYItIGIT ) vnx ;■ y, December 1 ItEMENDOUfI havoc has been wrought y locusts in the Albury district. One vineyard was completely eaten up yesterday, and potatoes are suffering greatly from the ucst.

Melbouum:, December 14 This Colonial Treasurer has r«ujeivo«"l a cable me isa»<> stating that it is hopeless to attempt to convert £'800,1)00 worth of (i per cent, debentures falling <luc in Ja mury into:}}, per cents. Tliu Associate I Banks will therefore pinoft the d b''nturts, and advance half a million without security. December 1.1. Mrs J >hnson, who was shot by her husband, is dead. Albany, December 15. Arrived: Orizaba. The passengers for New Zealand are, Messrs Armstrong, Blake, and Singlur, Mr and Mr and M--s Colli". Mv and Mrs Last, and Mr and Mrs Otterson. At tie banquet jast evening the president of the Steamowners' Association, in replying to a toast, said that the late Alfred Lamb, a well-known shipowner, and formerly a member of the New South Wales Parliament had really b-ought about the recent strike. The president mentioned that the doceased gentleman was aware that the labour bodies intended to postpone the strike; until the height of the wool season, which would place the em* ployers in a worse position, and he therefore hastened matters. Adelaide, December 13, The report of the Select Committee On Bonuses recommends that, in view of wheat growing becoming less pro • fitablp, the systems of distributing rooted vines aud cuttings be further extended to all bona fide farmers and fruit-growers ; also the appointment of an entomologist and vegetable pathologist to deal with insect pests ; aud, fin illy, that assistance be given by means of bonuses on exported but* tor, aud that all dairy machinery be admitted free.