Mail News.

Otago Witness, Issue 1501, 21 August 1880, Page 12

Mail News.

AUSTRALIAN NEWS. VICTORIA.

There is active canvassing in connection with tho reelection of Ministers. Mr Blackett opposes Fr Valo at Fitzroy, Mr Thomson Moore opposes Mr Williams for Mandura'ng, Mr O'Neill stands for Cre&wick, and Mr Andrews for Geelong. Mr Berry, in his speech at Geelong yesternight, contended that the Liberals were really the governing power of the Colony. lie said that late Ministers reversed the legitimate appointments of their predecessors, but he did not intend to pursue the same policy, though he would not pass overacts of injustice, lie declared that Mr Service had done nothing to reduce the deficit ; on the contrary, he had increased the Colony's burdens by spending £2000 weekly on relief works. He considered the Liberals were sufficiently strong without the co-operation of the " Corner " to carry on the business. Attention would be first devoted to tho financial position. A policy of retrenchment would be initiated, especially in view of tho land revenue rapidly and steadily declining. Ministers had already reduced their own salaries 20 per cent, and similar reductions were contemplated in salaries of future governors, judges, and many Civil servants. He hinted at the repeal of the Act adding the fifth judge. He declared that there was nothing in the state of the finances to cause alarm, but new taxes were necessary. £412,000 was due by selectors, and was certain to be paid hereafter. The balance, after deducting assets, would be accounted for by the new system of keeping accounts initiated by Mr Service. lie announced that bills to abolish plural voting and for payment of members would be among: the first submitted. Only brief mention was miile of the roorin question, and it is doubtful if it will be brought forward during the present session. The Government cancelled the Commission of Inquiry into the Ford-Bain business because they approve neither of the personnel nor the form of jn-

vestigation of the Commission, tho scope of which Mr Berry considers too extensive. „,..,,. Tho Government have announced their intention of launching the balance of the loan shortly. Railway construction forms a prominent part of the Liberal programme. Mrs Greer is fast recovering, and is expected to leave the Hospital in a few days. The Argus' report from the Temora diggings estimates the population at 9000, but only 500 aro difcgera. The report warns persons against abandoning- their occupations to go to the diggings. At the preliminary investigation of tho charge of murder against Kelly, Messrs Smith, Choomley, and Guarvcr represented the Crown. Mr Gaun&on defended the prisoner. Captain Standish and Superintendent Sadleir were present, and a large number of ladies. Kelly was still lame, and was carried to the dock and allowed a seat. Mr Foster, the magistrate, refused Mr Gaunson's application for a remand. The first witnoss was Constable M'lntyre. On Saturday when tho case was resumed the Court was crowded, and many ladies were present. Mrs Skillion, Tom Lloj'd, and Dick Hart were also in Court. M'lntyre's examination and cross-examination were finished Dr lleynolds was examined regarding the cause of death of the murdered men. On Monday and Tuesday Stephens, a groom ; Globter, a hawker, his assistant, and several others, all of whom were stuck up at Younghusband's, were examined and gave conclusive evidence that Kelly frequently admitted shooting the constables with his own hand. Kelly was formally committed on the charge of shooting Lonergan. Numbers of peoplo now recognise Kelly, whom they saw frequently during the last two years on racecourses and at hotel bars. It. is stated that Ned actually visited Melbourne last July, and slept at a hotel in Bourke street, and conversed about the Kellys. The Argus states that four months ago two men, Smyth and Morgan, were bailed up by tho outlaws near Three-mile Creek, and taken to a hut where an abundant supper was enjoyed. After being compelled to swear an oath of secrecy, Smith and Morgan were released. The latter was kept under surveillance some time. It is stated that it was proposed that Morgan should join the gang, who found he was unsuitable. Captain Payne, harbourmaster, has been suspended on the ground that he temporarily withdrew the fog signal-gong at the lightship without notifying the Department that the signal was not working the night the Ronondo went ashore, and stated its absence possibly caused the accident. A board will probably be appointed to inquire into the matter. An inspection of all lighthouse signals under Government control has been ordered with a view of ascertaining all departures from last official orders. Goods are arriving rapidly at the Exhibition building. As the time of opening approaches the preparation of exhibits is briskly proceeding. Sir George Verdon has resigned, and Sir Samuel Wilson has been appointed chairman of tho Ceremonial Committee of the Exhibition. Sir S. Wilson has lately been performing the duties in Sir G. Verdon's absence. As a precaution against goods being removed improperly from the Exhibition building, it is declared a " bonded warehouse." The Argus, speaking 1 of the appointment of Sir Herculos Robinson to the Governorship of the Cape, says the whole of the Colonies will regret the loss of a judicious adviser. The Governor has issued a warrant dated 6th, extraditing Michael Cavern, of New Zealand, for embezzlement. Justice Moleaworth suspended Aaron's certificate for two years. The Judge gave as his chief reasons the bankrupt's transfer of the Academy of Music to his brother-in-law, with a view of retaining the theatre in his own hands, which was an offence against the Act. The Cricketing Associations of New South Wales and Victoria sent a telegram to the cricketers in England. Both Associations congratulate them and express sympathy at the unfriendly treatment they hare received. They were very desirous to challenge an AllEngland Eleven. A number of friends also sent telegrams. A serious fire occurred at Warrnambool on the 6th. Storey's hotel was nearly consumed. The buildings were insured for £3000, whereof £500 is in the New Zealand and Standard. The important will case, White against Iloddle, was amicably settled. The plaintiff takes half the Elizabeth street property, valued at a quarter of a million, and receives half the rents for 17 years, his share being £49,000. The case Lyons v. M'lslay, proprietor of Punch, was called on at the Supremo Court on Monday, when it was announced that the case had been settled, counsel for defendant declaring that his client had no intention of reflecting on the private character of the plaintiff. The Argus devotes occasional articles to mining in Ballarat, and congratulates the district on the solid prospects before it. New discoveries are daily made. It is considered that there are many years of profitable industry for gold-miners around Ballarat. A number of thy unemployed waited on the Government, who informed them that no fresh work was possible, but they would remove some men now working to make room for married men with families. Twelve thousand men altogether are employed on the relief works. The Commercial Bank at its half-yearly meeting, the first since the amalgamation with the European, declared a dividend of 8 per cent. Tho first of the wool clip was shipped by the Garonne yesterday. The Legislative Council met yesterday. Mr Read made a formal announcement of his new Ministry. Mr Sladen created some sensation by inquiring whether the Commissioner of Customs was the Mr Clark whose paper recently printed disloyal and insulting remarks about the Queen. Mr Read declined to reply. Replying to further questions, he said if a member of the Council would accept the Postmaster-generalship he could have the appointment. A disgraceful scene has occurred at the Works Office, Melbourne. A crowd of unemployed were clamouring for work, and Mr Langridpro went out to expostulate with them. Mr Bent, ex-Minister for Works, came forward, repeatedly called Mr Langridgc a liar, and declared that there were ample funds to supply the men with work despite Mr Langridge's statement. A correspondent of an evening paper publishes a statement directly charging the police with having shot Aaron Sherritt. They are also charged with using threatening language to prevent his making this statement. When Ned Kelly was committed for trial he was very dull, and observing some girls smiling at him said, "If they were in my position they woxild uot smile much." Mrs Greer's passage has been taken in the Pcncenachen, sailing for England in October next. TASMANIA. The Acting-governor opened Parliament on Tues day. The Speech refers to the appointment of tho new Governor, and states that measures will be adopted to develop the mineral resources. New taxation will be necessary to meet current expenditure and gradually extinguish former deficiencies. Bills dealing with adulteration, gambling, and vaccination are promised.

NEW SOUTH WALES. Work at Newcastle is fairly steady all round. Tho number of miners starting for tho Temora shows no diminution. The Wagga Wagga Express says the prospects at Temora are undoubtedly good, but by no means such as to justify the unprecedented rush now afield. The paper strongly warns people against going there without means. Considerable uneasiness prevailed on Friday in consequence of the s.s. Omco having been seen in a disabled state. Soon after leaving Newcastle she was seen firing rockets. For some hours, owing to the heavy sea, assistance was impossible. It appears that a sea washed everboard a largo quantity of her hawser, which got entangled in her propeller. The Omeo proceeded on under canvas to Sydney, where Jshe arrived on Friday night. ...,.., The master of Marine, Needham, committed suicide on Wednesday. Ho leaves a wife and family in New David Newton, solicitor, pleaded guilty to the forging of a decree absolute in the Divorce Court, and was sentenced to two years' imprisonment. The prisoner was undergoing the same punishment for a similar offence. Various rumours are afloat at Temora regarding new discoveries 10 miles distant, but there is no reliable information. A clerk named Evans, in the Lauds Department, who on Friday was sent to cash a cheque for £18, changed the figures to 818. He received the larger amount, and returned to the office to avert suspicion. It is stated that he has sincc'sailed for San Francisco per Cambrian. Steps have been taken for his arrest. The celebrated case against Braid for attempting to bribe Sir II Parkes was disposed of in the twinkling of an eye. Sir H. Pavkes did not appear. The prisoner pleaded guilty, and the Crown being disposed to morcy, the Court did not pass sentence, but nude pi' '.nor enter into recognisances to appear when caned i.vm. Tbe Sydney Morning Herald, in a leading ai f lulo, rr<rretsthe withdrawal of Sir Arthur Gordon from Fiji.

As the ferryboat Tavaroa was leaving the Jersey aide from Sydney, a respectable woman with three little children, kissed them, and then jumped overboard and was drowned. Sir H. Parkes hinted at a banquet at Ashfield that Parliament would probably bo called together for a short session prior to the dissolution, which ensues by effluxion of time on November 25th. SOUTH AUSTRALIA. Mr Undersecretary Boothey has tendered his resignation, but the Government have not accepted it, pending inquiry into the Statistical Department. The Auditor-general is to be reduced, or compelled to resign. The wheat exported from the Ist of January to 31st of July was five and a-half million bushels. The Treasurer made his Financial Statement on tho 10th. He said the falling off of the revenue was fully accounted for by the deficiency in Customs of £40,000. The result of the whole year's transactions showed a small loss, but showed a large improvement compared with the previous year. The debit balance of £243,000 at July Ist comprised £83,000 cash deficit, £159,000 unexpended balances. The debit balance, however, did not include Supplementary Estimates exceeding £30,000. The increased expenditure was due to the natural expansion of education, railways, harbours, gaols, and police. The Government considered increased taxation urgently I necessary, and would make this a cardinal feature in ' their programme. They would ask the House later in the session to pass a loan bill for £400,000 for various works. There was no necessity for entering the London market before 1882. The debate was adjourned. Intelligence from the Northern Territory states that a conflict has occurred betweeu the Chinese and Europeans at the Margaret rush. Stones and weapons were freely used. There was only one trooper present, and he was wounded with a stone. Special constables protect the camp, but Europeans ai\> arriving, and the Chinese are retreating to their camp. The South Australian Treasurer, replying to a question, stated that the only question in Bothby's case under consideration was whether he should receive any allowance; but under no circumstances would he retain office as Undor-sccretary of tho Treasury. QUEENSLAND. Fifty thousand acres of tin selections wore taken up in two days on the Mount Waroo Ranges, 80 miles from Gladstone. The assay shows 3 per cent, of tin. An action has been commenced by the New Zealand Insurance Company against the South British. The plaintiffs claim £2700 Insurance on property damaged by fire. The defendants hold that the damage was not caused by flre The mail question is postponed for further consideration by the House this week. The Premier said although the offer of last week was not accepted, as expected, he considered the Government bound to carry on the business of tho country. Consequently, without any understanding with the Opposition, he would make his Financial Statement on Thursday. He hoped the House would give fair consideration to the mail contract. Meetings continue to be held against the contract.