(Received December 11, at 9,2 a p.m.)

The fixtures for the tour of next Austra lian cricket team have been approved. They play All-England three times; Kent, Surrey, Nottinghamshire, Yorkshire, and Gloucester shire twice; North of England, South'oE England, Lancashire, Marylebone, Cam bridge University, and Oxford University once. They. open ac Sheffield Park on May 8, and will probably finish at Hastings on September 17. AUSTEALIAN DEFENCES. In the course of his lecture this evening on the mutual duties of England and Australia with regard to defence, the Earl of Carnarvon eulogised the unstinted liberality of the Victorian defences, and urged the amalga mation of local forces. He held that the Australian colonies ought to bear the chief cost of fortifying King George's Sound and Thursday Island. In conclusion he praised the reasonable compromise arranged between the.Premiers of New South Wales and Victoria with regard to federa tion. Sir Andrew Clarke, who followed, considered that Victoria had been too lavish on her land defences, and lie blamed Major general Edwards for not insisting on the navy being the prime defence of Australia. SHIPS FOE THE AUSTEALIAN TEADE_ December 11. (Received December 12. at 1.20 a.m.) The shipbuilders of the Clyde have received orders for the construction of four large steamers to be engaged in the German- Australian trade. THE STEIKE OF GASMEN. The Gas Company has engaged 2000 men to take the places of those on strike, and as the latter are displaying a menacing attitude a large number of police have been told off to protect the works. OBITUARY. The death is announced of Mr J, M'Donald, late manager of The Times, whose name has been brought into such prominence in con nection with the "Parnellism and Crime" articles. PERSONAL. Mr Kobert Browning, poet and dramatist, is in a critical state of health. THE DEATH OF SEARLE. The Daily News and Sportsman, in refer ring to the death of Searle, state that he was the best oarsman that ever sat in a boat. Universal regret is expressed at the event. MADAME MELBA. Paris, December 10. (Received December 11, at 1.20 a.m.) Madame Melba's " Lucia" was a brilliant success, and she was repeatedly recalled. '

(Special to Pbess Association.) THE LABOUR REVOLT. London, December 10. (Hecelved December 11, tit 12.40 p.m.) An agitation is on foot for a general strike of the London gasmen and porters. 