MELBOURNE.

Bruce Herald, Volume III, Issue 72, 24 August 1865, Page 5

MELBOURNE.

(From our Own Corresponded.*.) ■■■ ; £ August 12th, 1865. The protection tariff is still the question 67 questions. All other questions dwindle into insignificance in comparison with this. The dead-lock which has occurred between the two branches of the Legislature- on this vital point still continues, and the termination of the present critical state of affairs §eems as far distant as ever. The overflowing coffers of the Treasury stilj remain closed ; and all our Government employes, excepting* those on day work, are |kept minus their pay. Meanwhile, the working classes watch with deep anxiety the progress of events. Considering that their best and dearest interests are bound up with the Tariff Bill, they therefore condemn, in the strongest terms, the manner in which the subject has been treated by the Legislative Council. In short, the colony is convulsed from one end to the other ; and monster meetings* both of Free Traders and Protectionists, are the order of tHe day. The relative strength of the two sides was conclusively shown by two mass meetings held in Melbourne on the evening of the 7th instant. The meeting of those in favor of supporting the Government in the protective policy which it has adopted, was convened in the Eastern Market, and is entitled to be ranked as one of the largest and most important political demonstrations ever made in the colony. It is estimated that from eight to ten thousand persons were present on the occasion — Bourke street being literally choked with people. A number of resolutions, expressing approval of the course pursued by the Ministry, were carried with the greatest enthusiasm — scarcely a dissenting voice being heard. Considering the numerous assemblage of people, the meeting was a remarkably orderly one. Nothing occurred of a rowdy or lawless character, save an individual placing a copy of the ' Herald ' newspaper (an antiministerial organ) on a stick, and setting fire to it, crying ' That's the way to serve the penny trumpet.' Let me now turn to St. George's Hall, at which place the Free Trade meeting was held. Every precaution was taken to secure the presence of a majority of persons holding Free Trade sentiments. A large number of tickets were issued during the early part of the day, the owners of which were admitted to the Hall by the back entrance, so that before the doors were thrown open to the public the building was filled with people Notwithstanding this trickery, however' the meeting was far from being as unani! mous as the promoters desired, and altogether it was as disorderly and riotous a gathering as can well be imagined. The leading orators of the day earnestly pleaded for a patient hearing, and the chairman frequently rose to enter a solemn protest against the tumultuous proceedings, but all to no purpose. The speakers were clamoured down, and the exhibition of pugilistic skill was the most prominent feature in the meeting. One resolution was put to the meeting, censuring the conduct of the Government, when a "majority voted against it, after which the meetirg broke up in utter confusion. I mention these things to show that the ministerial policy receives the hearty approval of an overwhelming majority of the population, and that the opposition party are led on by the large, importing and mercantile firms, who consider that the tariff would prevent them from realising the enormous profits on their goods which they have hitherto done. An early settlement of the existing difference between the two Houses is much to be desired, as more serious results than noisy political gatherings might ensue from the prolonged opposition of the Council. . ■■ ; ; The two Houses have been brought into collision on another question' .. A .■■bill,'' providing for a Supply of water tothe'in-

habitants of the Colony, was sent up to receive the sanction of the Upper House. The Council, however, thought fit to make sundry amendments in the bill, to which the Assembly refused to assent, maintaining- that it was beyond the province of the Legislative Council to make any alteration in money clauses of any bill. Still the Council expressed its determination to adhere to its amendments. At length it was arranged that a conference, consisting of delegates from both Houses, should be held, with the view of coming to some definite understanding as to the powers possessed by each branch of the Legislature. The conference has met twice, and the final meeting is appointed to take place on the 14th inst. It is to be hoped that this conference will also lead to the settlement of the great constitutional problem which has thrown the community into such a feverish state of excitement. Elections for Borough Councillors have taken place in every part of the colony, but nothing has occurred in connection with them calling for special notice. The steamship.London arrived here on the .6 th instant, after one of the quickest passages on record, having occupied only sixty days in proceeding from London to Hobson's Bay. On the health officer boarding her for the purpose of ascertaining her sanitary, condition, he ascertained that four cases of small pox had occurred during the voyage. The disease was of a very mild type, having been attended with no fatal results, and the last patient was con valescent some days previous to the vessel's arrival at this port, she was not permitted however, to proceed to Melbourne, but was detained at the quarantine station. After undeigoing a thorough cleansing process, and the passengers being re- vaccinated, she was released, six individuals refusing to be vaccinated, were compelled to remain on the station. It has been determined to erect a monument in memory of the late lamented Mr Richard Heales, who at the time of his decease" was minister "of Land and YVqrk s to the present Ministry, and who was Chief Secretary in two former Ministries. Few men have so faithfully served their country, or been so unusually esteemed, as the above named gentleman. He lives in the memory or" the people, and by general consent is well deserving of a monument to preserve his name from oblivion. It is intended that the monument shall be erected in Madeline street, and L2OO have been collected for the purpose. The Committee are now asking for L2OO more, to enable them to erect a monument which shall be a worthy expression oi the people's esteem for the memory of their great benefactor. * For the past week or two the weather has been very dry, and there appears no indications of a change. Farmers and others are crying out for rain.