Los Angeles herald., 1891-08-07

SAN Francisco, August 6.-The Ala
media arrived this morning, twenty-four
days from Sydney, via Honolulu.
Auckland advices Of July 14th to 10th
are to the effect that great food and
something like tidal wave prevailed at
Melbourne on the 18th. The waters in
the harbor rose above the level Of the
surrounding towns, and several small
vessels were wrecked. The foods were
the most severe since those of 1852, and
the course Of the Yarra river presented
scene of desolation for, miles. The
ia6Sofiss along the river side were sub
merged, as were also great number of
houses on the south side of the river in
Toorak. In South Richmond, another
suburb of Melbourne, whole streets were
submerged and 1000 people rendered
homeless. Business was almost sus-
pended in the city, and efforts were
made to relieve the wants of the suffer-
ers. A relief fund was started and soon
reached s50O0.
LOSS OF LIFE.
The loss OF life, it is believed, did not
exceed ten. Captain Lancaster and
sailor named Robertson, of the schooner
Nara, which was wrecked at Sorrento,
we're drowned, and fireman on a dredge
who attempted to make the shore in
small boat, also lost his life. A schoon-i
er, name unknown, disappeared off Sor-
rento, and is believed to have been lost
with all hands. The steamer Bancoora
went ashore and her bottom was stove
in. 1t was not thought that the tugs
would succeed in getting her off.
AN AWFUL AVALANCHE.
On the plateau of the Danefohg range,
an avalanche of earth, fifty acres in ex-
tent, swept down the mountain, en-
quilting residence there. The inmates
escaped, except one woman who had a
leg broken.
The railroads were partly washed
out for twenty miles, but were soon re-
paired. A great number of sheep were
drowned. It is estimated that the loss
will reach half million pounds. At
last accounts the Murray was rising, and
floods in the Albury district were feared.
Much sickness was prevalent at Mel
bourne, ,'attributedsto exposure and the
deposits of slime left by the floods.
The CORDELlA . BuhoIEO 6ONs
The naval inquiry into the causes of
the bursting of 6-inch breech-loading
rifle on board H. M. S. Cordelia, at Sgd
ney, June 29th, whereby Lieutenants
Hillyer and Gordon and three seamen
were killed, has forwarded report to
the admiral. 1t is understood that the
pieces of the gun which were not lost in
the explosion, were put together and
examined, but nothing was discovered
which leads to any conclusion regarding
the cause. Thirteen men were wounded
at the time, and OF these private Dar-
vile has since died, making the loss OF
life six.
CASTAwAYs' sUFFERINGs.
The captain and crew of the bark
Compadre, bound from Calcutta to
Talechuna, which was burned at sea in
March, were brought to Auckland by a
sealing vessel from the Auckland islands,
after spending 103 days on the islands.
They suffered greatly from lack OF food.
One of the castaways was lost In the
brush.
SAMOAN ADvICEs.
Samoan advices state that Chief Jus.
tice Cedercrantz opened the supreme
court of Samoa July 18th.
JUMPED OVERHEARD.
Second Lieutenant Philip ]. Hodges,
of H. M. S. Ring Dove, jumped over
board from the steamship Alameda,
July 14th. shortly after leaving Sydney.
Hodges had been suspended from duty
for one year on account of breach oi
discipline, and was on his way to Eng
land.