The Age from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia • Page 11

11 THE AGE, SATURDAY, APRIL 21, 1808. urn in 1901, going to 9,603,132 dol. in the1 EXTRADITION DIFFICULTIES. NATAL NATIVE RISING. SECOND EDITION THE AMERICAN CALAMITY.

SAN FRANCISCO ENTIRE CITY PRACTICALLY DESTROYED LOSS OF LIFE ESTIMATED AT 5000 TO 10,000. STILL IN FLAMES. IN FORCE. FAMINE. buildings by fire, including its provincial head quarters, ita pubhe halls and industrial institutions.

PUBLIC BUILDINGS CHURCHES AND THEATRES GONE. The Government stores throughout the city, which were valued at 3,700,000 do. have been burned. All the Government buildings in the city have been destroyed. The Merchanta' Exchange, the Mark Hopkins Institute of Art, and the residence of the late Sirs.

Stanford have been burned. Some ol the famous pictures in the Art Inatituto were saved. The Jesuit Church and the College of St. Ignatius, which cost 2,000,000 dol. were demolished by the earthquake.

CliS House, a famous pleasure resort below the Sutro Heights, waa awept into the sea. A number of theatres, including the Majestic, the Orpheus and the Columbia, collapsed owing to the shock, and the ruins were subsequently swept by fire- The sugar factory at Salianaa, which waa owned by, Mr. Clous Sprockets, was destroyed by the shocks. THE MINT SAVED. The Mint caught fire, and it was feared that it would be destroyed, but the employes by desperate efforts succeeded in extinguishing the fire.

A total sum of 00,000,000 dol. waa contained in the vault, of the Mint. INSURANCE OFFICES 8UFFER TREMENDOUSLY. The insurance risks amount to 50,000,000. The British oilicea have been hit hardeat by the disaster.

The London "Times" states that British insurance offices bold fire risks in San Francisco to the extent of about 20,000,000. SOME MILLIONAIRES RUINED. Many people have been ruined by tho disaster, and it rumored that people who possessed large fortunes have lout practically all their property. Among the storied current are some to the effect that Mrs. Hermann Mrs.

V. K. Vanderbilt have been ruined. These ladies, who are among the leaders of New York society, possessed a large amount of property in San Francisco, and none of this, it is reported, was insured. The residences of scores qt millionaires have been burned, including those of Messrs.

Huntingdon, Flood an Baldwin. PROPERTY SAVED. In order to save the Pacific Hospital, the St, Francis Hospital, and the College of Physicians from destruction by fire, the surrounding buildings were blown up with dynamite. The progress of the fire in this direction was checked, and tlieso important buildings were saved. The University of California, in the suburb of which was believed to have been demolished, escaped destruction.

LOOTING RAMPANT. Although troops are on guard over the millions of pounds' worth of property that is left in the ruins, and on that which has been piled in the streets to prevent destruction by fire, looting is rampant. Hartial law has been proclaimed, and anyone caught stealing is liable to be put to death, but this fact Iirb not prevented the thieves attempting to make the most of the present opportunity to enrich themselves. Four thieves wlio were detected looting valuable property were shot by the soldiers, and a sailor ran a bayonet through another thief. PACIFIC SQUADRON SAFE.

THE TIDAL WAVE. The report that the Pacific Squadron of the United States Navy was in the bay when the shocks occurred on Wednesday morning, and was sunk by a tidal wave, proves to be incorrect. The report was regarded an groundless at the time. It has now been learned that the squadron is safely anchored off Long Beach. The shipping in the bay has been less damaged than was at first reported.

General Funston states that he has been informed that Terminal Island, the famous sea side resort, has been destroyed. MARTIAL LAW FEARS OF MILITARY REGULATE FOOD PRICES. Hotel Will Tower Higher 1" "New Owners of the Magnificent Property Enthusiastic TUB AGE Office, Saturday, 2.30 a.m. THE POPE ILL HIS HEART AFFECTED. LONDON, 20th April.

The lealth of his Holiness the Pope haa of late given aome cause for anxiety, A telegram received from Homo to-day atatea that hia Holiness is suffering from heart trouble, and haa been unable to leave hia bed since Tuesday. Dr. Zapponi, who ia attending the Pope, attribute! the illness to want of exercise on the part of his Holiness. NATAL NATIVE RISING. 0IN1ZULU PROTESTS LOYALTY.

LONDON, 20th April. The chief Dinizulu, who ie suspected of having agisted Bambaata to escape from the Natal Held force which pursued him, has emphatically protested hia loyalty to the British. As it was feared that ho and his Zulu followers would join Bambaata, the Natal authorities, with the object of keeping a close watch over him, summoned him to confer with them as to the beat means of capturing Banibuata, Dioizulu now states that he ia willing to send hia whole tribe, in command of the chief induna, "to arrest the dog Barabaata," while he himself remains as a hostage in the hands of the British. He would lead his tribe himself on this expedition, he states, but that illness prevent him. The Natal Government adhered to its intention to mobilise 51)00 troops and to cm-ploy 2000 auxiliaries from the Transvaal and Cape Colony to crush the native rising and to capture Buuibautu.

FRENCH SCIENTIST KILLED. THE DISCOVERER OF RADIUM. CRUSHED BY A DRAY. LONDON, 20th April. A notable French scientist met his death in a tragic manner in Paris yesterday.

M. Pierre Curie, who shared with his Mine. Sklodowska Curie, the honor of discovering the extraordinary metal known as radium, was crossing a street in Paris, when ho slipped. A heavy dray, was being driven along the street, passed over hiin, and he was crushed to death. UNIVERSITY DEGREE.

CONFERRED ON KING EDWAKD. LONDON, 20th April. In connection with the bicentennial celebrations in the United States of the birth of Benjamin Franklin, the University of Pennsylvania has conferred an honorary degree on his Majesty King Edward. THE GRADING OF BUTTER COMPLAINTS IN LONDON. RETAILERS RETURN VICTORIAN BUTTER.

LONDON, 20th April. Berious complaints are being made by the trade with regard to the improper grading of Victorian butter. Retailers are return- inj some marked "first grade," asserting it to be worth only 82 per as against 80 to 100 obtained for first grade from Kcw Zealand. AMERICAN BEEF TRUST. PROSECUTION OF PRINCIPALS.

PRESIDENT'S SENSATIONAL SAUK. MES- LONDON. 19th April. A sensation has been created in the Vnitcil States 'by a message which President Roosevelt has sent to Congress in regard to the result of the trial of a number of the principals and officials of beef packing corporations associated with the American Beet Trust, on a charge of combining to restrain commerce by illegally monopolising trade. The hearing of the charge before the District Court of Mouth Illinois, which sat at Chicago, lasted five months.

Judge Humphrey directed the jury to return a verdict in favor of defendants as1 individuals, but not in their joint capacity aa corporations. President Roosevelt, in his message to Congress, declares that the result of the trial is a miscarriage of justice, and atatea that he can hardly believe that other judges will follow the ruling of Judae Humnhrev. whioh comes measurably near to making iaw a iarce. He urges Congress to pass an act which will state the real intentions of the Legislature with regard to the operations of trusts. fAftor thrPA inuu.i:.: i ana tne hearing of the testimony of 100 witnesses, at a cost of 300,000 dol rand Jury the United States in July last indicted 18 officiala of four leading packing corporations, alleging that they entered into A enmhinnlinn In n.n..ni:.' trade by the illegal granting ami receiving rebates.

Amongst the accused were armour, Duoauy, Mnam Morris. Ira Morris, Louis Kdward and Charles 231' 1 8Reec1' President lloose-veit stated: "The Government has very properly exercised moderation in attempting to enforce the criminal provisions of tne statute in regard to corporations, but it became our conviction that in aome cue- such as that of the beef packers inflicted at Chicago, it was impossible any longer to show leniency. Moreover, if the existing law proves inadequate, defiance of tne must Inevitably lead to further I believe fliat all corporal Urns enraged in inter-State commerce should ba i of the national Gov- FIRE AT WOOLWICH. LONDON, 10th April. A serious fire broke out at the British rasnal at Woolwich, where an enormous quantity of shells and cartridges are stored.

A disaster was only narrowly averted. Fortunately the firemen succeeded in controlling the outbreak after the ordnance tors building had been burned down. Six firemen were injured in the endeavor to prevent the Are spreading. TUB MAIL Ml.s. Sjdiitr.

outwards, lett Sues at 1 a.m. Timdiy, th. mh inrt. A DAILY TREAT I NO TEA LIKE OURS I JMOTYIIE BKOS JWNTYRK BROS akINTYRE BROS "0 TORE," "0HOOM" TEA. "OHOOM" TEA.

-QHOOM" TEA. sold for 2000 per foot, and another cloa by brought IW per foot. In California-atrect, west of Sonsome-streot, a property, changed hands at t'1400 a foot. Laud Van Nesa-avenue, near where bt. Ignatius Cathedral, which was destroyed, wss aitu-ated.

brought .180 a foot. Under th. conditions of the market land value, naturally increased, but in general nounng nae io proportion lo the growth of the transactions. Usually rosalee were made at small profit, in each instance, although in casee where the same property changed ownership several tiiuea tne advuuee was largo in tho aggregate. ThiB was particularly the ewe iu the ieculative sections, notably In respect to tne properties in muu.

Fourth and Ninth streets. The increase in one instance at least waa 100 per cent, in eight months. STEEL FRAME STRUCTURES. Accordina to the cable th. modern tall steel frame structurea stood tho shocks better than the brick and wooden tenements.

Engineer, nlace great confidence in these wonderful snider web- liko steel frames that tower in ungainly fashion era they are cloaked with raimeut of stone or brick. The massive steel beam, and girders, that weigh well un into th. tons, are transported across long roaencs of country ere San Francisco or any other section of the coast sees them, for Pennsyl vania and its contiguous stales aupjuy wis material, and where the material is it is upest to work it. 01 tne sieei in frames of the "Call." the Mutual Sav- ings Bank, the "Chronicle' and other large buildings travelled 3000 miles before it reached San Francisco, "if a tremendous earthquake should visit New York," said a prominent engineer to a reporter of tho San Franciaco "Chronicle" in December last, "it would probably tear loose the brick and stone coverings of tho steel frames, but unless the earth opened to engulf, the frames would still stand after the earthquake had passed." Although steel frame buildings such as the "Call and Chronicle" offices are atated to have been destroyed, it is very probable that the engin- eera prediction naa seen luiniiea, ana uie skeleton framework still stands, ACTORS ENGAGED FOR AUSTRALIA Mr. J.

C. Williamson gave expression last evening to feeling, of anxiety for the wel fare ot Mr. William Winer ana nis com pany, numbering some cweniy-nve laojes and gentlemen, who were to have sailed from San Francisco by the Ventura on tho morning following the terrible disaster in the city, to fulfil an engagement extending over some fifteen weeks iu Australia, commencing at Her Majesty's here on 19th May. Mr. Collier is recognised now as America's foremost comedian, and has recently completed triumphant seasons both in London and New York.

Mr. Williamson has despatched lengthy cables to his agents in England and America, and also to Mr. imiivs 1'fuiimcui, uuiiuvu, mj- au.ugc- ment with whom Mr. Collier was undertaking the Australian tour, but is yet without any information. Keginaia itonerts, wno was so open in Sydney again next month with the Royal Comic Opera Company in The Two Little Miclius, was also to have left by the same boat.

Mr. Williamson explains that, outside his fears for the personal safety of the artists, any delay in the sailing of the Ven tura win result in serious loss, as it win mean the upsetting of all arrangement, made for the placing of his companies throughout the Commonwealth. The engagement of Mr. William Collier is a most important one, and the venture haa involved a huge financial outlay. POLLARD'S OPERA CO.

SAFE. Singular to soy, two Australian theatrical companies departed from San Francisco only a short time before the earthquake occurred. Mr. George Mucgrove's company had finished its season ut the Majestic Theatre two days previously, and was safe at Salt Lake City when the shock was felt. Yesterday a message from Mr.

Clms. Pollnrd was received in Sydney and transmitted to Melbourne, conveying the intelligence that the Pollard's Liliputian Opera Compnny had left San Francisco and was playing a season at Sacramento, the capital of California State, a distance of 90 miles from the sceno of the catastrophe. The parents of ninny of the numbers of tho company reside in Melbourne, and their anxiety was relieved as speedily as possible. SYDNEY. Fridoy.

Numerous inquiries being made as to the safety or otherwise of the members of the Pollard Juvenile Onera Company, who are all Australi-ins. and who arc known to be at present in California. Mr. C. A.

Pollard, of Mosman, the principal of the company, received a telcerura this morning from his manauer to the effect that the company was sale, and was rehearsing The Mik.ido. UNION LABOR IN SAN FRANCISCO. Trades unions flourished in San Francisco to a greater extent than in any other city on the face of the globe. And tho unions co-operate to such an cxtcut thut the non-union workman has a poor chance of employment. Even the professions aro saturated with unionism.

Mr. George Mus-grove learnt this to his cost when he landed at San Francisco to open his Sweet Nell season a couple of months ago. Mr. Muagrove'a company consislcd entirely of Australians, nnd so did his orchestra. All the theatres, however, have their regular local orchestra, and the unions say UuiO none other shall be engaged.

Mr. Musgrove found himself in an unpleasant position. It he substituted his Australian orchestra foe the local orchestra, then the stage hands, who belonged to a union, would be culled out on sli-ike. Eventually he lound that lb. only terms on which a settlement could be effected were that he should pay the local orchestra its regular aulary during the lull season and allow Ihein a holiday, while Ins Australian orchestra provided the iniisio from below the footlights.

Mr. Mu-igrove, was put to the expense of cm; ploying two orchestras during his six. week, season in the city. THE DELAYED TELEGRAPH COMMUNICATION. Mr.

R. T. Scott, secretary of the Central Postal Administration, has received tide-grams from the Pacific Cable nuthoritie. indicating that messages for San Francisco can only be accepted at sender's risk, mid that communication is slow and intermittent. One advice dated 3 a.m.

yesterday said: Vaiiwnvcr advises: outlet to San Francisco, -lose or Oukhnil. All utlicr California, points lutucvt to heavy ilt'lay. AMERICAN EARTHQUAKES OF THE PAST CENTURY. AN INTERESTING RECORD, I In his memoir on the Earthquakes of the) United Stales and Onuncln, recorded in tha reports of the "British Association for Ilia Advancement of Siieuoc," Pcrrcy may ba said lo include the whole northern continent nf America, with the exception of Mexico and Central America, to which he has devoted another memoir. The result of bis investigations showed that the earthquakes nf the United States and Canada numbered 10 in the seventeenth century, 88 in the eighteenth century, nnd 51 (incomplete) in the nineteenth century.

Incidentally, it may be mentioned that many earthquakes arc recorded in tho Old Testament, the first being tlint at Mount Sinai, accompanied by thunder and lightning, on the occasion of tho delivery of th. law to Moses In 10011 B.C. Between 1604 and 1530 B.C. Koran, Dothan and Abiram, in Arabia, wero awallowcd up, and in 15ed B.C. the wails of Jerusalem were thrown down.

The lost of any moment before th. now era was in Palcstino in 33 or 32 B.C. when 30.000 lost their lives. Many terrible visitations occurred in thj Intervening centuries, but the purpose of this article is lo describe some of the great earthquakes that happened in America during the past century. The earliest of any importance urns at Cumonn, on tho north const of Soulh America, which caused tu.

ground to move like the waves of the sea. In on. place tract of land sank down, and a pool of water appeared in it. stead. DMurboncM in tho valleys of Iho Mississippi, Ohio and Arkansas commenced in December.

JUL and lasted until 1818. Houses were thrown down, rocks iplit, on great clefts opened in tho ground, from which quantities of waler, sand and piece, of coal were thrown out. Large lake, warn formed, the level of the ground was permanently raised and depressed in different places, and a bar was thrown, up across th. Mississippi. An aarthqnake which occurred at Oarao eaa in March, lull, extended oyer the provinces ot Veneanela, Van naa, Maraciaba succeeding year, and exceeding dol.

the following year and the one after that. In 1UV0 tne nuiiaixtg recura jumiini to 16,400,000 and then it waa freely predicted, and almost admitted by the moat enthusiastic, tbat the pace was too hot to last, and tbat the next year was bound to show a slump. Tlie indicatious now are that thia will uot be the case. "An excellent example oi o.inrpn.o u. the men of Los Angeles was given when tnnlr the water system of their city from the private monopoly which made millions out oi it ana convencu public utility.

What water has done for the aouth can hardly b. told, but tor 1am a i lia nut monev in the treasury. Th. experience of Los Angele. with public ownership of its water haa encou raged it to too lor a sun uhc and it expects to bring water from the Owens River, in Inyo county, a distance of 220 miles, at a cost in money of and in time of four years.

It is said that the enterprise, if completed, would give Lob Angeles enough water for a city of 2,000,000, enough to irrigate many thou-sanda of acres of land now waterless and to generate power lor cMctrivuy to ous uses. "Los Angeles la smciiy practically everything which goes to make up a big city. It lacks little, if anything, which could make it more attractive. With water it naa a ricn mm around it. and it enioya vast re ceipts from agriculture, commerce, mining and tourist travel, which it encourages by every possible means.

But the most valuable possession of the City of the Anaela ia the dauntless energy, the Buperb conh-dence, the hearty co-operation, the indomi table plucK Ot us people. Ana nowj FRESH SCENES OF DISASTER. caused by the earth quake appear, to have extended beyond San Fimcisco to Banta uruz, oau on" Santa. Rosa, a distance of from 15 to 30 miles from the main city. Fatalities are reported from each of these localities.

Santa Cruz is about 15 miles down the coast from San Franciaco. Jt is a great fruit growing and a nonulor seaside resort tor so ciety people. San dose i. about i miles south of San Francisco, and ia noted pnn -inallv for its orchards. Santa Rosa is a beautifully built little town about 30 miles north-west of San Francisco.

The settler in th. district mostly engage in farming and fruit growing. Mom, fatjaliliM are renorted from Oak land, which is the great centre for the East ern railway trallio. l'aasengera and Height trains cross tne oay ou icrnra huui uol liYunninRn to And start ior their destination from that depot. In the earlier cable merjuages it appeared that most of the damage in the city it If was confined to -the south of Market-street.

It is now stated that all the larce buildings in the city have been demolished. A number 01 bne structures are containea in tne 40 blocks which extend from Sansome-street to Leavonworth-atreet going west, and from Market-street to nne-street, going norm. This area, which apparently haa been (lavas tated bv fire, if not nv the shock itself, con tains all the large printing omccs. tne "Evening Post," "Evening Bulletin," nnd foreign offices, the Calitornian Theatre and Hotel, the Columbia and Orpheus Theatres, Fishers New Music Hall, the Central Fire Station, the German Savings Bank, the Mutual Bank, and the Hibernian Bank, the Olympic Club (the home of prize fighters), large wnoiesale and retail warehouses, tne doc- chiding that of the late Mrs. Lelana Stanford, nnd those of the millionaires L-rocker, Huntingdon and Flood.

FASHIONABLE PARKS DESTROYED. Two popular resorts of the richer classes on the outskirts of the city have been devastated. These are Menlo Park, noted lor its stud productions, and Burlingame, the favorite nolo around, which' is nor- tlcularly well patronised by the English residents. Heavy mortality is reported from Palo a town about twenty miles from San Francisco, -which ia chiefly inhahited liv rarmers, and is noted as the site of the Leland Stanford University. Many deaths have been recorded at Nana, the chief town of Napa county.

It has a population of 20,000, and ita principal producta are wine, poultry, mineral waters, fruit and dairy produce. Fatalities have ocnnrrpH nlnn n'r Monterey, Gilroy and Hollister. Monterey .0 o.vuabcu un iue euge 01 tne oay, au miles south of San Francisco. Its population in cne oia Spanish days it wus ine capital or uantomia. Wear Monterey iS the great beet Rinrnr faxtnrv nn.n.

ed by Messrs. Spreckels, which is reported as destroyed. This factory was erected in 1807 at a cost of 100.000, and was the argest beet sugar factory in the world. It iiau a aony capacity of 3000 tons of beets. -md turned Ollt 4m tnnu nf nnn A.

The surrounding country has been largely built on in late vears. In the Rav nf fnn. terey the trials of all the American war ships built on the Pacific coast take place. Ilolhstcr and Gilroy are corn and fruit growing centres, within twenty mile, of AN ART GALLERY BURNT. The Mark Hnnlctna I been destroyed by lire, is situa'ted on Noli iitu.

11 waa origiuauy a private institute picture gallery and art. pvhthitinn but latterly it has been thrown open to iiuuuc iui jiisuccMon on certain days A bloek" "eyond Nob riill is Van Ness-avenue, where the very cream of society resided. The ilames apparently have spread over Ibis quarter, as the buildings have been blown up by dynamite. The blllldlflirs innat anpplaif 1 be large dwellings, fashionable apartments CHINATOWN DESTROYED. Chinatown occupies the most attractive sito in the city ol San Francisco, standing a it uoea un a loiiy rise overlooking the bay.

It has long been the wish of the Franciscans that the Chinese should be removed to some less desiruble quarter, and the hand of Providence now apiiears to have interfered to effect this purpose. Chinatown is built on ten square blocks in liie northern portion of the city from Pine-slrcel to the ocean. Underground may be uuiiu iiuuurcus oi opium uens una gamb- ng nciis, wiuie subterranean passages lead from street lo street. Guides are specially provided to show visitors over this remarkable underground network of habitations. The population of Chinatown is about 20,000, and the whole of the business there is carried on as though the quarter were in tne Heart ol China.

THE POOR SUFFER SEVERELY. Hie inflammable structures south of Market-street towards the water's edge were among the first to be swept by fire, and the latest reports slate that it was in Una quarter that most of the loss of life has occurrea. iwcnty-iour blocks in this loca lily aro occupied by the working claases. All the tenements are constructed of wood, and naturally offered no rosistaned to i.i- fiery attack. The prevailing system in San rrancisco is ior tne poorer classes to live in flats.

The tenements in the quarter referred to, therefore, do not consist of single storied three room buildings, but mostly of dwellings two or more star)', high, and containing from six to 20 rooms. Several families frequently occupied the same riot. The area waa thickly populated nnd the houses were built closely together. The poorer dwellings were situated near tho water front, and tho class of building improved at the western end towards the "Mission." Tho hotels in thiu section catered for all classes. Sonic charged as high ns 2 for bed, and a like sum for a meal, while others warmed the inner man for a modest fourpence, and provided a bed for sixpence.

Strange to say this section of the city was the fashionable quarter in the early days of San Franciaco. Aa the. town boean to nyl.en.l however, tho wcnlthier classes moved out to nod run, wnicn gained Ita name from tho fact that the residencea of tho "Four Hundred." or "Nobs" as the society folk were ealted were situated lhnr older quarter of the town was then cut up into small blocks, and gradually became Uie homo of the working man, It is a notable fact in San Francisco tli.it the children of the poorer classes greatly outnumber those of the more fortunate class and it in thia denaly populated area that most of the young of the city have to spend their time. full particular are received It will found that many children will be numbered among Uio dead This very quartor was swept by firo only eight year, ago. REAL ESTATE VALUES.

The year 1905 was a wonderful one in the history of San Franclioo real estate. The xnlue of the estate th.t changed hands was 14,000,000, aa against 9,000,000 for the Previous year. great sal. of the year was a property In Markefrttrmt, where th. effect, of th.

nrthqnak seem to hare been act duautrou. Thi. property wu PROCEEDINGS AOAIN6T WILLIS. NATAL APPEAL DISMISSED. LONDON, 10th April.

The Supreme Court of Natal haa given ita reserved judgment in the appeal lodged by W. N. Willis againat the decision of the chief magistrate of Durban that he had power under the Fugitive Offenders Act to deal with the application for the extradi tion of Willis to New South Wales, where ho is wanted to answer a charge of con spiracy connection with land transac tions. The court dismissed the appeal. fThe abwe mcaaiaa aunrarod In nnrtldo of vet.

tetany's iisuc.J ANOTHKR NATAL CASE. The extradition proceed mini aicainst John Smith, alias Harry (JrifUn, who was arrested some weeks ago on a provisional war rant charging him with having committed lalsmuatiou 111 Nutal were advanced another stage In the City Court yesterday. The case had been adjourned from time to time, pending the decision of the Full Court on the contention raised in the ease against William M'Kelvey, that Victoria wo not a Untiiili nossession within the meaning of the Fugitive Uit tinders Act. Tlic run luuri uiaagieea ou the point, and iM'Kelvcv was uiiIltuI tu 1m cvti-jiiited lu South Africa. A lie depositions taken in western Australia in the present case had been read previously, and the case for the Crown, which has already been published, closed.

Mr. Secombj who appeared for accused, held that the depositions were consistent with his innocence. Jf the bench found that to be so, then the depositions could not be Baid to raise a strong and probable presumption of guilt, which would ave to he shown before Uritiin could be extra dited. Accused gave evidence that he was arrested at Albany on Hth August of last year on a provisional warrant tor forgery, but after the depositions had been taken he was acquitted. Mr.

Pan ton, P.M.: That has nothing to do with us. We have onlv to so bv this evidenco. Mr. Secomb: I intend to rely on the defence that this man has been acquitted on this charge. Mr.

Panton: Then there ia no defence. Mr. Meagher (for the prosecution): I think it would expedite matters to allow him to give this evidence. Mr. Sccomb: These depositions will probably be used against him at the trial.

Mr. Panton: Go on, then. Accused went on to say that the charge of forgery was abandoned, and one of falsification substituted. He was committed on this charge, but appealed, and was subsequently acquitted. On hia arrival at Adelaide he was rearrested on tho original charge of forgery, but waa discharged by Mr.

Gordon, 8.M. Accused was committed to the Melbourne gaol, the extradition to be delayed for 15 days to permit of the appbeat'on by accused for a writ of habeas corpus. MURRAY WATERS QUESTION. PRIME MINISTER'S CONGRATULATIONS. GREATEST AGGREEMENT BETWEEN STATES EVER MADE." The Prime Minister is greatly delighted by the fact that, thanks to the skill and tnct of the Victorian Minister of Water Supply (Mr.

Swinburne), the three Stales of Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia have come to an agreement with renpect to the distribution of the waters ot the Murray. was so greatly impieea with the importance of this siiid Mr. Dcakin-yesterday, "thut I person ally waited on Mr. Price and Mr. Peake for the purpose of congratulating them on thi great achievement, and 1 sent a telegram to Mr.

Jient caught mm at aey-mour and to Mr. Carrutliers, congratulating them in these terms: The Government, on behalf of the Commonwealth hastens to congratulate the Ministers of the three States immediately a flee led on huvmg arrived at un agreement which will permit of utilisation of the greatest river of Australia and the development by its means of a large and fertile portion of the interior of tliis country. No previous undertaking entered into between State Governments has an equal importance. All Au-jtrabuns wiil chrrish the highest expectations of an early sanction and accomplishment of the beneficial scheme of water control and supply to wuich you have just set your hands. "I consider," Mr.

Dcokin added, "that this thing is really the most fur reaching agreement: ever arrived at between the States so fur as effect on the future is concerned." Mr. Bent personally acknowledged Mr. Deukin's felicitations on his urrival in Melbourne yesterday from Sydney. Mr. Swio-buruc has been overwhelmed with contrrn- dilutions on the success which has crowned his diplomacy and patience.

RESERVATION BY MR. PRICE. hcu Mr. Price left Sydney he signed the Murray waters agreement as it then stood, leaving the Victorian and New South Wales representatives to deal finally with matters as between those two States. They signed the aareement on Thursday, and the nnai copy wua Drougnt bv returning to Melbourne yesterday.

This Mr. l'rica was to have sitrner) vtfiterdiiv alter- noon. The South Australian Premier hud Inn it nnnfarpnrn with Mr. u-lin statea that Mr. Price had sinned tho agreement, "with one little exception." Mr.

itent wouia not jnaicate wtiat reservation Mr. Price had made bevond stating that it was a mere matter of sentiment. Mr. Bent intends to annoint Mr. Stuart Murray aa the Victorian representative on the committee which is to prepare the bill for submission to the State Legislatures on tne suDjeci.

THE AUSTRALIAN NAVY. AN ADMIRALTY OFFER. TWO DESTROYERS FOR SALE. ine rcacrai uovernment has been ap proached, through Captain Craaawell, by tho representative of a well-known ship. building lirm in Urcat Britain with businesa offer to supply two British torpedo destroyers at a reasonable price.

In the course of a letter received by the Defence department, through the Naval Director, the representative says: "I venture to inform you that I have in mv hands for disposal two of the vcrv latest type of British destroyers, with large displacement ana nieu lorecastle. ADea 2o knots." DeHiiins ana otner data are to follow nv a later post, and the whole offer ia to be reported on oy captain uressweu. CAPT. CROUCH'S SURRENDER, OFFICIAL INQUIRY ORDERED. The action ot Captain Crouch in writing to "The Age," in hia military capacity.

denying the accuracy of the report pub. lished therein of his surrender during the recent military operations near Langwarrin ia likely to lead to serious consequences, Objection is taken to any appeal to the press before representations had been made to Captain Crouch's superior officers, but Una is considered a small matter as conv nsred with that ofllcer'a conduct in nub, liciv denying the testimony of every one of those who witnessed hia surrender, and duly reported the occurrence to the Commandant. This testimony haa now gone bevond references in official renort sworn dcclarationa have been secured from all the officers and non-commissioned officers concerned. This means tbat there will either be a court-martial or some inquiry by the Defence department into the whole incident. Officers declare that their honor is at stake in tho matter, and nothing but a full investigation win eatisiy tnera.

FINNEHORE, Judn of ta. Nstal In. prrmo Court, Sends Remarkable Tealimoalal to CUTICUHAi "1 suffered a severe sttack of ec-sema on the scalp, fact, ears and neck, and was for months undsr profetttonil toeataMflt, but became worse. My face was dreadfully dle-Sgurrd, and I loat nearly all my hair. My wife prevailed upon ms to try the Cotleuta Remedies, which I did, trlttl moat saturfictorr mulls, th.

fltoaM disappearing md my hair growing thicker snd gloMler than before my llbi.se. wife hi. puroliised Cutlcurs for enter aufferert. with aood mulls In each esse. Robert lease flms-mors Wd ot the NiUlfcansH Orarn Meter.

SITUATION CRITICAL LONDON, 10th April. The situation in Zululaud. where the Zulu chief Siganandi ia reported to have joined Bambaata, the deposed kaftir chief, with the object of continuing the attacks on the whites, ia now regarded as most critical. Bambaata haa ulso been reinforced by the Zulu tribe under the chief Ndubi. ine inhabitants of Melnott have gone into laager, aa they have reason to fear that the natives intend to make an attack.

As an additional protection they have erected barbed wire entanglements around the laager. The town of Eshowe. in Zululand. is also threatened, and a force has been despatched to del end the people. The force consists of 150 Durban Light Infantry, SO mounted police and 100 Natal volunteers.

This detachment ia armed with two Maxims. The chief Dinizulu, who has been warned by the Natal Uovernmeut thut he will be held responsible fur the canture of Bam. banta, is stiU suspected of rendering assistance to that chief. Dinizulu litis been summoned by the authorities to confer with them ns to best means to lie employed in capturing the rebel chief. The scheme to capture Bambauta, with the asshiuuco of the loyal Zulus, bv encircling him in the Nkandhla lorest, in which he is hiding, hits been abandoned.

Sir A. Wools-Sampson, who was knighted for his aervicca in the South African war, haa offered to raise a force of SOW to 10,000 irregulars in the Transvaal to stamp out the sativo rising. FRENCH COAL STRIKE. SERIOUS RIOTS. LIEUTENANT STONED TO DEATH.

LONDON, 19th April. The strike of conl miners in the Nord and Pan de Calais departments of France, which followed the terrible disaster at the Cour-nerea mines, has assumed a most serious phase. Several collisions have taken pluce between the strikers and the troops who were sent to the locality to preserve order. One gendarme has been killed and three officers have been wounded. A thousand of the (strikers gathered together and prevented the employee at the iron foundries in the town ot Denain continuing work.

The managing officials of the foundries have been besieged by the strikers. In the district of Lens the strikers took a number of railway sleepers and erected lmrricadcs, A detachment of, dragoons charged these barricades, but fulled to destroy tltcm. A lieutenant was stoned to death by the strikers. KciuforcemeiiU have been- ordered to proceed to the scene of the disturbances. THE LONDON AIAKKETS.

LONDON, 20th April. BANK OF ENGLAND UKTURNS. TJie returns for the week ended 2Jtli April are as follow, tiic figures for the pro vious week being given aUo, in pai-tnJiejea: Issue dciiai'tiiii-iit: Reserve iu coin and bullion, U.mk department: Ke.erve in note ana com, 23.370.000 (24.201.000). K-tceutaae oi reserve to liabilities, 43.71 (44.10). Circulation, including bank post bills, 28,875,000 Public deposits, Other deposits, 44.650.000).

Government securities. (10.113,000). Other securitien. 31,876,000 GOVERNMENT SECURITIES. The following urb the prices to-day, us compared with those that ruled -a week ago: April 13.

April 3). (I. s. ti. Ht 17 6..

93 10 0. lull I 2i tm portal Consols 1 VUlurin. lifJO. Jim. -July 31 lKUS.

3 Vic. lfcy-H. 4 N.S.W.. Jan. -July ..101 0 0..101 0 0..

..101 0 CM 10 0.. 10 0.. tf 10 0.. ..110 0 0..110 10 31. X.S.W..

lUli- 0 3 N.S.W., ra5, Apr. -Oct. 89 10 0.. 89 10 0.. 3 S.A., 1939, ..102 0 0 3 S.A..

11M9, 4 July ..103 0 10 0.. 4 my 31 O' la nil, 19.H-30. Jo n. -July 101 10 0..101 10 las. Mmv-Nn 10? 0 0..107 0..

3 N.Z., 1940, ..102 0 0..102 0 0.. iu-jmo, jou io 100 10 ol. 3 1W040, 89 0 0.. ft 0 0.. 31 W.A..

1103-35, 0 10 JJ' 3 W.A., 1915-35, May -Nov. 83 0 0.. bS 0 0.. Discount. The mnrket rate of in teres for three months' bills id 3g per cent.

M1CTALS. Pig Iron. Mid dlesboro' No. 3, 476. Spelter.

25 15 to 20. -Copper. On spot, S4 15 to 85. Tin. On spot, 177 15 to 178 5 nnd at throe months.

174 15 to 175 5. Jx'ad, Soft foreign pig lead, 1U per ton. PRODUCE. flnrman heet. 8S ner cent.

quoted at 80 per first marks granu- iiiieu ac lua ult cwi. i.u.u. liuuiuuitj Wheat. The markets ore firmer, the Enidi-m market hua advanced about 3d. net qua iter, uod the American is hardening inere a gooa acrnana lur cargoes, me shipment by the Wynatay from Wailaroo 7th February has been sokl at 31, and South Australian December shipment is offering at 32.

For the week ending 14th April the shipments from the Atlantic amount to 160,000 quarters, and from the Pacific 30,000 quarters. Flour. Owing to the firmness of holders of Australian flour little business is toeing transacted. Butter. The market is steady.

Choicest Australian scarce at 06, unsalted at 108. Secondary brands neglected. New Zealand is realising 00 to 100, and selling steadily owing to its excellent quality. Danish unchanged. Cheese.

New Zealand white 61, colored 65 per cwt. Fruit. -The shipment of pears ex Mongolia were landed in a rotten condition. Many cases nf apples wet, apparently having been heuted. The shipment 'by the Orestes is in splendid condition, being the best quality so far this season, but many are described as being small.

Further comnlainta are also made of short iiarlt. ing. Borne of the cases of South Australian only weighing 20 to 31 lb. each. Prices ootainea were a'tiout tne same as venter- day's Pears landed in splendid condition realising 11 to 30 per case.

WOOL. Bradford Tons. The mnrket in hrinlc. with good inquiry. Prices quoted are as follow: Super.

60's, common 60's, 48's, 40's, 18ld. MINING SHARES. Riivrr flfillAM Broken HIU Proprietary ..8 10 0 ..3 12 fl Mount Lyoll 2 0 0 2 7 0 Auocintcd 2 8 0 2 0 8 Broken Hill South 4 2 8 4 fi 0 THE PRICE OF SILVER, LONDON, 20th April, 2.20 p.m. Bar silver is nuoted to-dav at 251 tier oe. standard a rise of 0 1-1 tkl.

since yesterday, Received by Kems. Dalgety and Co. London. 10th Anrll Vmrtn Unit Itnh There an cttve demand, hut prices trt weaker. no huomj; new ocaianu pruno croiworeu.

uanipr fia, per light, m. North Inland, henvy, 4d. per ht. 41d. llntlnti! Market Hull mviriaf iw 01 nnninq.

vre quoit; new Kcaianq prime cronbred, Canterbury, heavy, 4il per light, 4d. per North Island, hcarr, Sid. per dok. Itnht. 31d.

ner lb. Heavy arrival! from the Hfver i'late. Keaiand prima ok (ores, J. per lb. hlods, SJd.

per lb. SHIPPING NEWS. LONDON. 20th Anril AirlYala. Nairnshire, from Clcdonn 13th February! Wllrannia, from Melbourne 22nd February; Somerset, from Auckland 27th February Orestes, from Melbourne, 23th February! Romanoff, from Melbourne 0th rnedrlch der orosse, Irom Melbourne, 7th March.

Departures. For Sydney: Naming, In-dralenm. For Lyttelton: Turakina. ARBITRATION COURT JUDGE. LABOR CONFERENCE CRITICISMS, WELLINGTON.

Friday. The Labor Conference had long debate on a notion expressing want of confidence in the personnel of the Arbitration Court. During the discussion delegates attacked Mr. Justice Chapman, president of tho court, for his awards, declaring that they went against the evidence. The motion was rejected by 16 votea to 6, but even those who voted against it expressed disapproval LONDON, 20th April, The latest information received from San Francisco regarding the effects of the earthquake confirms the story of the terrible disaster which has overtaken the city.

Telegraphic communication haa been as yet only partially reatored, and all messages are subject to considerable delay. The latest estimate of the people killed is 5000, and the damage to property is put down at 300,000,000 dol. The "Daily Mail" publishes a despatch received from Oakland which states that 10,000 have been killed and aa many have been injured. The casualties reported in San Fran-oisco itself are confined so far to the section of the poorer tenements. The Asiatic quarter has been almost entirely destroyed.

Chinatown and the Japanese quarters axe in ruins. At the first shock the Chinese rushed into the street in a fearful state of panic, beating their gongs. They collided with other foreigners in their mad teror, and fierce fighting ensued. Ten thousand frantic Chinese and thousands of Italians, Spaniards and Mexicans took part in the fight. Finally tho troops restored order at the point of the bayonet.

Router's correspondent at San Francisco states that the confusion is so groat that it is impossible to trace whether specific individuals have escaped, but the Englishmen and foreigners who were slaying at the big hotels are doubtless safe. The rich people are flying from the cities around the bay, but the poor ore compelled to remain, as they are unable to meet the exorbitant demands made by those in charge of the boats. RADIUS OF 100 MILES AFFECTED. The havoc wrought by the earthquake extends over a radius of 100 miles of San Francisco. The towns of Santa Rosa, Healdsburg, Guerncville, Clovcr-dale, Doppand and Ukiah, to the aouth of San Francisco, were destroyed, and many people were killed.

At Santa Rosa, which lies about 60 miles to the north of San Francisco, 1000 people were killed and 10,000 were rendered homeless. A total 'of 270 perished'in the destruction of 'the Agnew Asylum, near San Jose, in the Santa Clora Valley. At the city of San Jose 36 people were killed. The shocks which occurred on Wednesday occasioned heavy mortality at Santa Cruz, Palo Alto, Mapa City, Monterey, Cilroy and Holliater. At Oakland, on the opposite side of the bay to San Francisco, which to a large extent escaped the severity of the earthquake, five persona were killed.

Most of the towns around the bay suffered severely by the shocks. FEAR OF FAMINE. FOOD AND WATER SCARCE. Brigadier-General Funston, who is in charge of the troops on guard in the city to preserve order and prevent robbery, telegraphed on Thursday morning that the city had been practically destroyed, and the situation could not bo worse. The General also telegraphed to President Roosevelt that there arc 200,000 people who are homeless, and that food supplies and tents are scarce The want of food and water is causing a great deal oi suffering.

Water is being distributed to applicants by the soldiers, and thousands are compelled to wait their turn. It is feared that there will be a famine, as the city contained beyond a three daya' supply of provisions. The prices of provisions have trebled. The sale of food ia being regulated by the military authorities, and the rich are being prevented from buying largely. One hundred thousand homeless people spent Wednesday night in the public parks, and probably 30,000 passed Thursday night in the lame way.

RELIEF OF THE SUFFERERS. Outside help ie arriving from all directions, and the railwiys are conveying supplies free of charge. The United Bute. Congress has voted 1,000,000 dol. (200,000) for the relief of the sufferers, and baa ordered the distribution of army rations.

Large aupplies are being despatched from Portland, in the State of Oregon and Seattle, in the State of Washington, and several war ihipa have been ordered by Congress to co-operate in the work of relieving the distress. President Roosevelt, issued an appeal for private to the relief fund. Wall-street immediately suspended business in order to arrange for subscriptions. Mr. J.

D. Rockefeller, the multi-millionaire, 100,000 dol. and other enormous contributions have been received. Many charitable organisations in England are contributing liberally to the relief of the sufferers. The National Federation of Churches has issued a requcit to all denomi-nations to observe Sunday next as a day of special ittterceesiin for the sufferers.

FIRE STILL RAGING. THE CITY DOOMED. Though many city blocks were dynamited throughout Wcdneaday night with a view of checking the progress of the fires, the flames everleapt all obstacles, and the firemen had to abandon all hope of controllng the fire. It waa decided at noon on Thursday to dynamite all the residences on the east side of Van Ness-avenue, between Golden Gate and Pacific avenues, a distance of a mile. This ia the most fashionablo quarter cf the city.

Owing to the fact that the supplies of dynamite were becoming exhausted, gun cotton and naval Bhella were usod to blow up many of the buildings, A telegram despatched by General Funston at 4 p.m. on Thursday stated that there waa no change in the progress of the fire, A private message sent two hours later stated that the flames were spreading over tie crest of Nob Hill in a northerly direction towards the Latin quarter. The commander of the San Francisco Fire Brigade was interviewed on Thursday, evening with regard to tho progrcsa of the fire, and the prospect of it burning itself out or being brought under control. He atatel that over two-thirds of the city had been destroyed, and that there was possibility, of saving the remainder. PEOPLE ROASTED ALIVI.

BANKING QUARTER BURNED. A terrible disaster, which adds to the horror of the situition caused by, th. earthquake, occurred at the Mechanics' Pavilion. This building had been converted into a temporary morgue and hospital, aid a Dumber of dead bodies and 100 Injured were placed in it. The building caught fire, and the flames spread through I with such remarkable suddenness tJiai only ten out of the whole of the iijured could be laved.

Many of tho richest banks and commercial houses in Mratgonwry-atreet were burned, and hundreds of people were roasted to death ie the debris. It stated that 100,000,000 dol. 20,000,000) worth of securities were stored in the vaults of the burned out banking quarter. It la not yet mown if. these securities are safe.

The London banks have offered to come to the aid of thi bunks at San Frsnclsoo should it be necessary. FASHIONABLE SUBURBS DESTROYEI, The fsiehionable suburbs of Mcnlo Park, Burlingame and Job Hill linvo been) destroyed. Th. raiiaouns Hotel, oa Hob Hill, which had Just been Wit at a cost of 1,000,000 dol. M0X)0) it lew oa lire, The Sal ration Army loat tltlitysUt SHOCKS ATL0S ANGELES.

A COOL OPERATOR. "OFFICE ROCKING LIKE A BOAT." Two shocks occurred on Thursday afternoon at Los Angeles, a town on the coast of the State of California, about 400 miles south of San Francisco. Telegraphic communication was destroyed before any particulars could be obtained. The beginning of a message was received from a telegraph operator. He had got as far as saying "The telegraph office is rocking like a boat when the message abruptly ceased, and telegraphic communication with San Francisco was at an cud.

KEWSPAl'ERS. ALL NEWSPAPER- OFFICES WRECKED. The offices of almost all the San Fran cisco newspapers were destroyed by the first shocks, and the newspapers had to suspend publication. Subsequently the man agers of the leading newspapers combined with the object of endeavoring to overcome the diliieulties with which they were beset. They succeeded in jointly issuing a single print at the office of the San Francisco "Chronicle." But unfortunately the "Chronicle" office collapsed on Thursday, and no newspaper is now being issued.

TELEGRAMS FOR SAN FRANCISCO. TRANSMISSION NOT GUARANTEED. The International Bureau has advised the Melbourne Telegraph Office that on ec-iount of the earthquakes telegrams for San Francisco will be accepted only at the risk of the senders. The following message has been received at the Melbourne Telegraph Office: Hamficld, British Columbia, advises: "3 a.m., Vancouver advises no outlet to San Francisco, San Jose or Oakland. All other California pointa subject to heavy delay." 8CENES AT THE CONSUL'S OFFICE.

INOUIR1ES BY RELATIVES. The United States consul, Mr. J. P. Bray, yesterday had to answer numeroua inquiries of anxious relatives of Australians resident in San Francisco.

While unable to afford them any information of a reassuring character, he was able to produce plans of the city, so that his visitors could ascertain how far- their friends lived from the centre of the scene of destruction. Mr. Bray intends cabling to the American Government fur information as to the number and names of Australians who may have been killed or injured. During the dav a number of leading citizens called on Mr. Brnv at the consulate, in the Equitable Building, bv way of indicating their sympathy with tho American nation in its time of disaster.

Among those who called were the Prime Minister, Mr. Deukin; the Minister of Lands. Mr. Murray, representing the State Government; the secretary of the Department of External Affairs. Mr.

Atlce Hunt: MesBrs. sioners; the chairman of the Congregational Union of Victoria. Mr. W. W.

Kerr; the consul for Switzerland. Mr, Chas. Marka; and Mr. R. J.

Alcock. Mr. Bray yesterday received sympathetic telegrams from Sir Richard Baker, president of the Senate, nnd Sir Frederick Holder, Speaker of the House of Representatives. Ho will forward these mossagos to the President of the United States. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE NOT NEEDED.

On flrst hearing of the terrible visitation experienced by San Francisco, the Premier stated that the Government would be prepared to render financial relief and assistance if it would be acceptable, but he was informed yoterday by representative citizens that such help would not be wanted, there being plenty of money available for the purpose in the United States, STRUCTURES THAT ARE WRECKED AND BLAZING. The Fairmont Hotel, which was biasing when our cable news was despatched, had just changed hands in remarkable circumstances. Last month saw greater "deals" in San Francisco property than have been known for years. Sales of real estate and magnificent structures were recorded almost daily, with discussion, by tho San Francisco newspapers as to who had got the "thick ends of the bargains." The towering Fairmont Hotel waa the medium nf what i. described as "a record swop," Tbe are some of the newspaper headings announcing It.

occurrence: "Fairmont Trad Chief Topic "Agent. Baliart Honors Ira ia Dtsl "Great Over the Future of San Francisco to Make Vast Improvements The enthusiasm iius had good cause to evaporate, and "the great hotel bag not "towered higher. The Law Brothers, who made princely fortunes out of a patent medicine, caBt covetous eyes on the groat Fairmont Ho tel, a structure planned on the toll ideas of America, but stiU standing unfinished. They wanted to become the proprietor! of "the greatest hotel on earth." The hotel and adjoining lands were worth about The Laws owned two great city buildings the Kialto (now known to be in ruiusi ana tno urossiey. iney approached Mrs.

Herman Oelrichs, proprietress of tlie Fairmont, and concluded a bai-uain. Thev handed over the deeds 01 the Kialto and the Crotuley and 100,000 in cash, and received in return the deeds tor the hotel. Xnia is bow tne ban Fran cisco "Bulletin reters to the matter: "When it was realised that the Lawa in tended to treble the size of the Fairmont then wonder still grew. I 'Heavens, what a fortune they must I have, signed a capitalist. 1 know some-, tiling about hotels, and I know one hotel in wiucu am iiiM.ruHteu which lost uol.

the lirst year, when tuo public-was led to believe that it made money from tlie start, ami it was ouly by the moat rigid economy and cutting down of expenses that the hotel has paid at Now here are the Laws giving up two big business buildings which have a class of tenanu who are among the (financially great, giving up a steady montliiy income for a property which will not yield them a cent. lor. ner. haps, two years. This must 4)e the cate if the Laws carry out their intentions of mak- the hotel twice, it not three times, aa large, at it is now.

"The history of Herbert E. Law and Dr; Hartland l.aw reads like a fairy tale. It is barely 15 years ago that they were first heard of as coming rich men. The Laws had invented a medicine having certain (lutiiibii-a wmi-ii ii-i-uinuiciiui-u it, io women. The medicine came into notice.

through its sale the foundation of Mien immense fortune was laid. "It is said that not 20 years ago the Taws commenceu the manuiaccurc ot this pre- farution in a small place on Broadway, anil i-om these small beginnings they have be come among the wealthiest men in the United Stales. It is impossible to say what is their income. Their medicine is som an over tuis country, in Canada aud in Euroue. "Thc.Ijaws own fine buildings in New yorK city, in jjonaon ana Berlin.

In this city they have the Monadnock and tlie Fairmont, rows of houses on Van Ness-avenue and very valua'ble lots. In Santa Clara county tncy have splendid properties. What is their income? This is what many a person would like to know. It must be in the millions or else tiicy would not undertake to add to the sine of the Fairmont, and give an order for furniture which will run up to another 4PO.0O0 dol." ROCKING LIKE A BOAT." A MUSHROOM CITY'S DANCER. "Office rocking like a boat," wired the telegraph operator at Los Angeles; "boat" then there, says our cable message printed above, was a dramatic, perhaps a tragic, pause Tho telegraph instrument ceased to click.

The fate of the city, within some 400 mDes of the San Francisco ruin, is only to be guessed at. Los Angeles is the chief gourd amongst many gourd-like Amorican cities. Figurn- tivr-lv RltnnkitllT thn niln. nt 1 u. inuouiitjr, WUUU and gridiron steel work that frame ita long siiccis anu city poms nave sprung up with a rnpidity suggestive of the growth of field of corn; and they appear to be in imminent danger of being even more rapidly awept away.

In twenty-live years Los Angeles had advanced from 133th placa to ahout 20th nlace amontr thn t.ilirt nt w. vi.v w.ii.tu tMLlCB. Americans, with American modesty, declare tl.n A l. siiigeics uin it is a jesson for the world." It uui built firmly upon a rock, but upon a treacherous waste of sand and gravel. "The natural and apparent resources upon which it was founded," says one writer, were no more tnan you could scrape into hat.

It does not tax the nMnmu ne sons young," continue, this recorder, "to recall the days when Los Angeles was an adobe village populated by Indians, Mexicans ana a score oi Americans, in 1RATI altar tiA nlnna k.J i- i vcguil bv aiiow signs of life, it had only 11,183 inhabitants, but in the next Un year. Its population increased 390.0 per and from 1800 to 1000 the increase was 103.4 per cent, Since the last consus, In 1000, the city has kept up that its prosperity was built on an insecure foundation, and that thoro would be a tremendous crash, until to-dav tho estimates make the population over 200,000, showing about twice a. heavy a growth aa during tne last decade, when Mia hmh, ha 1. Hn. IfM increase.

The crash ajiirar. to be at hand, but is of a more novel and more terrible type than that feared from the operation, th. nnomater. "From IADJI In loon the "Chronicle," "th. annual expenditure for new buildings hovered around th 2,000,000 dol.

Bark, rtaobinf doubl. that to OOOO," "SO MICE Wronger am) richer thai srm I Supplied by OROCERA, MERCHANTS and STOREKEEPERS ThMUfhout Victoria. kMM tow isevrg, oi ui prenaent..