AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Ashburton Herald, Volume II, Issue 521, 9 December 1879, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(Per City of New York at Auckland.)

At a special parade of the Sydney police, rewards were announced to Sergeants Carroll, of LIOO, Cai-sman, L 75 ; constables, each L6O ; Williams and M'Donald, civilians, for conveying intel-. ligence, LSO, and L 25. Moonlight told visitors that since his confinement lie has held spiritualistic communication with the deceased Nesbitt.

(Per Arawata at the Bluff.)

The following additional Australian news was brought by the Arawata :

Moonlight conceived the idea of organising a gang to stick up the mail steamer, sailing from Adelaide as steerage passengers. The plan was to induce the Lascar crew to mutiny and seize the officers and vessel. Moonlight wanted then to force the bullion room, and compel the Lascars to take the gang and plunder ashore.

October Ist is definitely fixed for the inauguration of the Exhibition. A probable premium of fifty guineas for the words of an inaugural cantata, and ore hundred guineas for the best musical composition will be offered. Berry refuses to provide endowments for municipal bodies. New South Wales.

A fatal coach accident occurred near Maitland. The driver fell off in fit and the horses bolted, the coach capsized, a young lady was killed, and several others seriously injured. Rust has appeared in several places, and is expected to affect the crops, which are large. A fire at Greenfell destroyed property worth £IO,OOO. The township was saved with difficulty. Twelve horses were burned.

Alexander Stewart, member for East Sydney, has accepted the Agent-General-ship. A Bill to legalise the totalisator on racecourses was introduced.

Dent, late pay-master to the Sydney City Council embezzled LBOO. The sale of exhibits at the garden palace is strictly prohibited. Entries for Sydney Cattle Show for December 18th, are not numerous.

The Catholic agitation in opposition to the Education Bill is unabated.