INTERCOLONIAL.

Press, Volume XLII, Issue 6304, 2 December 1885, Page 7

INTERCOLONIAL.

ViCTOBIA,

The police, acting on information from New Zealand, arrested a man named Bland jcharged 'with embezzling over a. £1000 from his employers, Messrs Stewart, Dawson and Co., jewellery Dunedin. The prisoner was brought up for examination, and remanded for a week.

At a meeting of the Presbyterian Assembly of Victoria on Nov. 13, a resolution was adopted by 109 votes to 87/,' directing the Melbourne Presbytery to remove from the roll of membership of Scott's Church all the members of the Bey. Mr Strong's congregation. A Plenary Council was opened,.(: ov. 15) by his Eminence Cardinal Moran. There was a large and representative gathering present, including fifteen. Bishops, and numerous clergy, and thousands of laity. Dr. Bed wood, Bishop of Wellington, preached the opening sermon. The procession which followed was of a most imposing character. - The Victorian Government have taken steps to urge the Imperial Government to empower Sir Peter Scratchley, High Commissioner of New Guinea, to punish the murderers -of the Australasian Society's exploring expedition. -?■ ■■~ Mr Henry Henty, late partner in the firm of-Henty and Company, has failed. The schedule cf liabilities is Bet down at £156,000; and the assets at £7000, leaving a deficiency ofi J8149,000. , The credit of the firm of Henty and Co. is not affected by the failure. The list of creditors of Henry Henty, whose failure was- announced on Nov. 24, includes among other* names the .National Bank of Australasia; (whodonot*claim on the-estate), 373,000: the Hon.fWiUiaui Campbell, £45,000: and the National Bank of New Zealand,'xfaOOO; 1 "' 4 i The Federal Enabling Bill was read a second time. in the Legislative Council on Nov. 24th, bnt'the final passtogiiof the measure is postponed pending the ultimatei action of the South Australian Legislature, which at present is. come; what uncertain, owing to the hostile att'tude maintained on the subject, by the Opposition. . ? '- ;ff NEW SOUTH WALES, i Sir John Boberteon ia generally recognised as the leader of the Opposition. Efforts will be made as soon as possible to test the strength of the party. His Excellency Lord Augustus Loftus and family left on November 9th for Melbourne, where they will be the guests of Sir Henry Loch for ft Bhort time, prior to their departure for England. Pending the arrival of Lord the administration of the government will be in the hands of Sir James Martin, the last Governor of the colony. i The; Government and Opposition leaders have .taken a private census of their respective supporters. Both political pai ties now claim to have a working majority in the Legislative Assembly. Mi- Simttery, Minister of * Justice, and Mr, Lyne, Secretary, of Public have been re-elected for their respective constituencies unopposed. The: Hon. Mr Thornton; has been appointed Minister of Mines, which portfolio was previously held by Mr F. A. Wright, but resigned by him alter his defeat at the general elections. Mr Thornton will be j tbe representative of the Government in the Legislative Council. The New South Wales Parliament assembled Nov. 17.* The'newly elected members of the Legislative Assembly having been sworn in by the Speaker, the Hon. -Edward Barton, the House adjourned. -The Oppesition members are in a majority, but the course ol action they will adopt ha 3 not transpired. Sir Henry Parkes "took the opportunity this afternoon to renounce his claims to the Premiership. The New South Walea Parliament was opened by Lieutenant - Governor Sir James Martin, who in the-course of his speech on the occasion, expressed regret tbat the drought which prevailed throughout the colony had lessened the value of the principal products, and, combined with other causes, brought about a diminution: in revenue. Net withstanding, however, the falling off: in receipts as compared with the estimated revenue, it had been found practicable to avoid the imposition of additional taxation. Measures for the amendment of the Civil Service Act and the reorganisation of the Civil Service, for the amendment of the Electoral Act, and: providing for the better conservation of water, will be introduced shortly. In conolusiocj, the Governor congratulated the colony upon "the improvement which had taken place in the revenue during the las; financial period. The published returns showed the receipts ta be largely in excess of those for the corresponding period last

farther details regarding the safe return of the Australian Geographical Society's Expedition Btate that after ascending the Fly Biver aa far as it waa possible to do in boats, they took to the whaleboat> and proceeded some eighty miles up the stream. Here they_ encountered a numerous body of natives*, whom they describe as a fine race, although exceedingly shy and hostile to Btrangera. Captainßverill states that he lound it iniposßible*to hold any friendly communication with them, and tiie jungle was so dense that he had to return without being able to penetrate any distance into the interior ot the country.

.-■■'■ QUEENSLAND. A conflict has occurred between the Legislative Council and the Legislative Assembly relative to the payment of members. On July 30th last the Legislative Council threw out the Payment of Members Bill, which had already passed the Assembly. The Government intimated at the time they would recommend His Excel* lency the Governor to include in the estimates sums sufficient to pay the expenses of members of the assembly for the current session. The recommendations have been adopted, and the Legislative Council in retaliation now voted .£7OOO for the payment of members from the Appropriation Bill, a proceeding which has resulted in a deadlock between the two branches of the Legislature.

The 'deadlock which has occurred between the two branches of the Queensland Legislature Btill continues, the Legislative Council insisting on an amendment to the Appropriation Bill, eliminating the provision for payment ct members. A joint Committee of both Houseß has been appointed to try and arrive at an understanding ; meanwhile all payments of any kind~from the consolidated fund have been discontinued. . ; ■\ The deadlock between the two, branches of Queensland Legislature ia practically concluded, arrangements having, it is believed, been come to, whereby the Legislative Council will pass the Appropriation Bill on the understanding that the opinion of Hv Majesty Privy Council be obtained regarding the power of the Legislative Council to reject money Bills,