The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1890-03-13
AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

At Cardwell, near Brisbane, boy
Named Jackson was swallowed by an al
ligator.
The Marquis of Lothian will succeed
!ord Darlington as Governor OF New
Sontl Wales.
In the return Intercolonial Cricket
Match New South Wales beat Victoria
by four wickets.
All captains in the South Australia
Militia have resigned their con: miss ons
as protest against the appointment of
major to command two battalions.
The average heat during January was
five degrees higher than any month
since a record has been kept, and was
quite unparalleled throughout Australia.
Heavy rains continue to cause serious
damage in the suburbs of Sydney.
Floods are general throughout the colony
and there has been much destruction Of
crops.
The annual stock returns show that
sheep have increased by 2,S69,0 900, the
total number in the colony of New South
Wales being 40, 1868 900. The increase in
cattle is rec )rded as 100000, and in
horses, 10000.
1t is estimated that the recent floods
in Queensland will result in loss of fully
ESQ, 900 in the sugar industry. The
damage from the same cause in the
marlborough district is reported to be
close on 100000.
The Sydney University Senate have
appointed Professor Cobbett, of Oxford.
to the chair of Law; Professor Wilson, of
Edinburgh, to the chair of Anatomy;
and Professor Anderson, of Glasgow, to
the chair of Logic.
What are known as "The Hopeful
Prisoners" who were sentenced in 1884
to terms of Imprisonment ranging from
life to seven years, for kidnapping ma
tives in the South Sea Islands, have
been released from Jail at Brisbane.
A rush has set in on the Ockover, a
Australia, where five men have found
700 ozs, of gold in a few days, besides
discovering rich reef A general stam-
pede from the other goldfelds is being
made.
A steamer which arrived at Sydney
February 18th, from China, reports that
a party of eight South Sea Islanders were
landed at Japan, after having been fif-
teen days In canoe, without food or
water. They stated that they were
about to resort to cannibalism when they
were picked up by passing vessel.
1t is understood that the Victorian
railway returns for the present financial
year show large deficit. The Melbourne
Argus estimates the amount at e100. 900,
and the Age at quarter of million.
The Commissioners state that owing to
the many new lines being opened, the
expenditure exceeds the income; but as
soon as they are all fairly going the bal
ance will be restored.
The Federation Conference is the
principal topic of conversation in Sydney,
and great diversity of opinion prevails.
The supporters of the Federal Council
will endeavor 10 force its claims 1t is
believed that the delegates from New
South Wales will insist on no half mea-
sures, and if the Conference attempts to
secure modified form of federation pos
sibly that they will withdraw.
An actuarial investigation OF the al
fairs of the Premier Permanent Building
Society of Melbourne, which recently
closed its doors, discloses an extra
ordinary state of affairs. During three
years, loans amounting to one million
and a hall were issued. AS an example
Of how these loans were granted, it is
stated that one person borrowed
100000, being already responsible for
five previous loans amounting to ESQ, 900,
not one of which had been paid.
After number of postponements, the
sculling race between Charles Stephen
son and William Hearn, for s1O0 side
and the championship of New Zealand,
was rowed over the championship course,
three and half miles in length, Feb
ruary Goth. The weather was very warm,
and the water like sheet OF glass. Ste
phenson won easily.
An attempt was made by parachutist
named Williams, at Ashfeld, five miles
west of Sydney, February 18th, to ascend
in balloon, and come down by means
of parachute. When he had assembled
a considerable height, something went
wrong with the rope which rendered
him unable to free himself, and the bal
loon, unchecked in its career, rose to an
altitude OF nearly $4,000 feet. Eventu
ally he managed to make his descent,
but came down in Georges River, where
he was rescued. Williams states that he
suffered severely from the intense cold
which he passed through at height Of
abont 900 feet. As it was, he had a
very narrow escape.