Queenslander (Brisbane, Qld. : 1866 - 1939), Saturday 11 October 1890, page 714


Current News.

BY TELEGRAPH AND OTHERWISE.

Tenders are invited for a new school building and mistress's residence for the girls' school at Rockhampton. The tender of Messrs. Kluge Bros., £688,

ength, sweeping everything before it, going through Messrs. Rhodes Bros.' blocks, then on to Mr. Cameron's, and then to Yanburra, where a large number of sheep were burned, besides a large quantity of grass. Bowden's two blocks were completely burnt out, and Mr. Hume, Bexley, lost a good deal of fencing and grass. Oreenhillfl and Btrathdarr stations were also sufferers,

Bates in the Tingalpa division unpaid on Ist November will, it is announced, be recovered by prooees of law. Mr. F. Ayres, late manager of the Bank of Australasia at Maryborough, has been promoted to the management of the Brisbane office of the bank. Tuesday and Wednesday next have been appointed public holidays at Nanango, those days being the days set apart for holding the annual race meeting of the local racing club. Tenders were opened on Monday at the General Post Office for the conveyance of mails for the year 1890-91. Tenders were called for 139 services in all in different parts of the colony, and for these 440 tenders were received. The successful tenders will be declared on Monday next. The Colonial Secretary has just received through the Chief Inspector of Stock a letter from Mr. Murray, the inspector of police at Cooktown, in reference to the experiments which were made in that district with Mr. Lamont's caustio soda cure for the so-called mange disease in horses. From this letter it appears that the caustic soda reputed cure has proved a failure. On Monday night about 11 o'clock a seaman named Lockhart jumped overboard from the Waroonga, lying at the Railway wharves. He was observed by a companion, who immediately jumped after him, but as the current was strong it was impossible to rescue him. The chief officer of the steamboat states that during the afternoon deceased seemed greatly depressed, but he can in no way account for the rash act, as Lockhart was a great favourite with his comrades. Mr. 8. C. Smith, writing from Ularunda, says:—"The contemplated exploration of Central Australia through the instrumentality of Sir Thomas Elder is very good in its way, but if we want the interior explored and inhabited, why not offer a certain area of it for a term, say five years, rent free, followed by five years 1 nominal rental, to any one who has the will to venture out ? We must not depend too much upon ' enlightened zeal for the general welfare of the colonies.' I am afraid that sentiment il hardly strong enongh in the nineteenth century to combat the difficulties of exploration and first settlement." At the monthly meeting of the Queensland Country Mission the report of the colporteur was read. It was written from Hor ton town, Isis Sorub, and stated that since sending his last report he had travelled from Tiaro through Maryborough, Pialba, and Howard. He has been engaged in conducting religions services at the various places he has visited, and in selling Bibles and religious literature. He reports good success in selling at some places, but less in others where the inhabitants are suffering from bad crops. Subscriptions in aid of the mission are thankfully received by Mr. James Grimes, of Queen-street, Brisbane. A proclamation appeared in Saturday's "Government Gazette" separating the new division of Hamilton from the division of Toombul. The boundaries of the new division of Hamilton commence at the confluence of Breakfast Creek with the Brisbane River, and thence by the new and oW 'Band*»te-nm4f) to a street running east from the Woolloowin Station; thence easterly through the Racecourse Reserve to the Nudgee-road; by that road easterly to Snider's-road; by that road southerly to the Brisbane River; and by the river westerly to the point of commencement. The new division consists of about three and a-quarter square miles, while the remaining portion of Toombul has an area of ratable land of about seventeen square miles. The death is announced of Mr. E. A. Gaujard, a well-known and much-respected Brisbane resident of many years' standing. The deceasod gentleman had been in delicate health for two or three years, and some days ago he suffered from a fit of excessive vomiting caused by some disease of the stomach. He never rallied from this, and passed away on Tuesday morning. Mr. Ganjard, who was 64 years of age, arrived in Victoria in 1853, and followed commercial pursuits on the Bendigo and other Victorian diggings for some time. He came to Brisbane thirty years ago, and embarked in business. He subsequently opened the wellknown wholesale and retail tobacconist's establishment which bore his name for so many years in Queen-street. He retired from the business about six years ago, and after a trip on the Continent he returned to Brisbane. The deceased gentleman was a widower, and leaves a married daughter (Mrs. G. B. Niool). A narrow escape from death by drowning is reported to have occurred at Redoliffe Point on Saturday morning. It appears that two sons of the Rev. J. Button, Horace (aged 14) and Sidney (10), started on a fishing excursion in a small punt, but had only gone about a quarter of a mile when the swell capsized the frail oraft, and the two occupants were precipitated into the water. Sidney was unable to swim, but his brother was proficient in the art, and got the little one alongside the upturned punt. Their cries were heard by several blackfellows who were camped on the beach, and "King Johnny"- at once swam out, while another known as " Willie" ran in search of a punt. In the meantime James Calver, one of the roadmen working on the Esplanade, had noticed the trouble the youths were in, and had launched a punt which he found on the beach. There being no paddles he seized a piece of batten which was handy, and set out. Unfortunately Calver had not noticed that there was a hole in the punt until he had got some distance out, when, being himself unable to swim, he again scrambled to the beach. The craft having been made more trustworthy, he again set out and reached the boys and the blackfellow " King Johnny," the latter having encouraged and helped the boys to keep up. During the time they were in the water Horace had undressed himself, thus preparing for an emergency, but saved his watch by fastening it round his neck. In a short time after reaching the shore they regained their strength, and are now none the worse for their aflvnntnre.

The only death in the Danwion Benevolent Asylum last week was that of Mary Searle, aged 102, native of Exeter, England. The only death in the Woogaroo Lunatic Asylum last week was that of Elisabeth Sanden, late of WalkerstoD, Uackay, aged 57 years, of aneurism. The boundaries of the new division of Tambourine,-and the amended boundaries of the division of Tabragalba are' described in last Saturday's " Government Gazette." A proclamation was issued on the 2nd instant, and published in a supplement to the " Government Gazette," giving effect to the new Goldlields Act so far as the Russell River Goldfield is concerned. A private telegram received in Brisbane states that the general store of Mr. Kingston, North Bundaberg, was totally destroyed by fire yesterday week. Nothing- was saved. The building was insured with the Colonial Mutual Office for £750, half the amount, however, being reinsured. Sub-inspector Meldrom, of Charters Towers, wired as follows to the Commissioner of Police under Thursday's date:—"Anthony Convey wilfully shot William Fraser in Towers-street to-day with a revolver. Bullet penetrated nose, and imbedded in neck. Convey arrested. Fraser, who was taken to the hospital, is expected to recover." The report of the superintendent of the rabbit fence, dated 16th September, which has just been received by the Lands Department, shows that the rabbits are not increasing on the Queensland border. The fences at Mungindi have beon considerably damaged by the recent floods on section 14, the posts and strainers, which wore sft. in the ground, having been completely torn up. The Department of Agriculture having suggested the advisableness of having a competent man appointed to superintend the planting of cocoanuts which have been and are being planted on the islands within the Barrier Beef, and also to care for the young trees as they appear, the Government, on the recommendation of the Civil Service Board, have appointed Mr. Jeremiah D. Arraitage, of Imeo, near Maokay, who has had considerable experience in the cultivation of the coooanut palm. Sub-inspector Urquhart informed the Com-missioner of Police on Thursday by wire that it was reported on Tuesday that a man named Peter Paterson committed suicido by shooting himself at an out-station of Fort Constantine. A constable has been sent to investigate the matter. The commissioner also received a telegram from Sergeant Murray, of Blackall, stating that a shearer named William Edwards committed suicide at Malvern Hills station on Thursday morning by cutting big throat with a razor. Messrs. Mathieson and Johnston, Railway Commissioners, accompanied by the Chief Engineer (Mr. Stanley), returned to Brisbane on Saturday evening from the Maryborough district by the overland route. During their absence they inspected the North Coast line, the Maryborough and Gympie Railway, the Isis, Childers, and Kilkivan lines, also the Maryborough to Gayndah and Maryborough-Bundaberg railways. Mr. Johnston went as far as Kolan on the Bundaborfl-Gliulston© line. Tbe linoa generally were found in a satisfactory state, and good progress had been made with the lines under construction. It is expected that the fourth section of the North Coast Bailway will be completed well within contract time—that is, about twelve months hence. The Under Colonial Secretary has received the following wire, under date 2nd instant, from Mr. H. Milman, police-magistrate at Cooktown: —" Three gins taken from Mulgrave Biver, near Cairns, by crew of Jenny Scott. Not on articles. She cleared for Coral Sea and got wrecked. They were brought in here, and are in safe keeping. Under what Act can the captain be prosecuted? Interpreter at Cairns. Please reply promptly, as am leaving for . tinfields on Saturday morning. Believe she was bound for New Guinea waters. Wrecked on Flora Reef in Coral Sea." The Colonial Secretary, having consulted the Solicitor-General, replied informing Mr. Milman that the master was liable under sections 2 and 6 of the Native Labourers Protection Act of 1884, and that the persons who abducted the ginß might possibly be guilty of a much more serious offence towards the women abducted. He instructed him to get the police to make inquiries, and if there was sufficient evidence to justify a prosecution for the more serious toffence, such Bhould be instituted. A terrific encounter between a whale and two fox sharks, or threshers, was witnessed from the steamer Paoific, nearly abreast of Cape Moreton, on Saturday morning last. The threshers seemed to rise out of the water almost upright, and come down mercilessly on the whale, underneath which was probably a swordfish, judging by the way the whale continually rose out of the water, but was again instantly attacked. The fight was watched for nearly an hoar, and on tbe return voyage of the Pacifio the dead body of the whale was passed about twelve or fourteen miles from the cape, having been at last overcome by its merciless foes. Captain Curtis, of the Pacific, states that he only once saw a similar encounter, and that was off the. coast of Newfoundland. From another source we received the following account of an interesting soene recently witnessed in a creek some distance to the south of Brisbane. At the mouth of the creek is a shallow bar, over which, at high water, fish of every description swarm, there being a considerable volume of water higher up in which they find a large amount of food. As the tide ebbs the fish migrate to tbe sea. Upon one occasion, however, their usual instinct appears to have failed them, and they were left by the receding tide on the inside of the bar, and then began an extraordinary light between a shark and several porpoises. The latter sought to defend themsolves by striking the shark heavily with their tails, but to no purpose. The water, while the battle raged, was tinged with the blood of the porpoises, who in a short time came to the surface, belly upwards, quite dead.