AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY.

Evening Post, Volume XX, Issue 285, 6 December 1880, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY.

I [PER ROTORUA AT THE BLUFF.] Melbourne, Ist December.

It is now understood that the reform question must stand over till after Christmas, the consideration of the Estimates consuming all the tine until then. M. Belcour, the French Commissioner, on Saturday presented the President of the Exhibition with a splendid SeVres vase, and the Government with a collection of educational appliances. The same evening M. Belcour entertained 60 Exhibition Commissioners at dinner at Monzies' Hotel. At the International Conference on Saturday, Sir H. Parkes submitted his views. A harmonious feeling prevails. Intercolonial free trade, the establishment of a Federal Council for the settlement of important questions, also regarding joint 'action to be taken for the extermination of phylloxera, were considered. Mr. Va.le has been requested to collect information about granting patents. The other matters discussed were the proposed uniform telegraph and railway rates, diseases in stock, ana wife* and child desertion. At the conference on Saturday, resolutions were passed in favor of a federal council and the mutual extradition of absconding debtors. Mr. C. Mann, the Ade* laide delegate, submitted views on Sir H. Parkes' paper, and Mr. Berry read a paper on border duties, aftei which tho conference adjourned to Wednesday, when Sir H. Parkes will expand the proposed federal council scheme, and the phylloxera and Chinese immigration question will be dealt with. It is highly probable the conference will again meet in January at Sydney. Joe Thompson, hearing of the proposed match between Hanlan and Laycock, has collected fa ads with a view of assisting Laycook to meet Hanlan on his own terms. He raised .£165, and Sydney has subscribed £351. Both amounts have been telegraphed to London, the Bank of New South Wales remitting the money free. The Earl and Countess of Ellesmere arrived yesterday by the Bokhara. They are the guests of the Marquis of Normanby. The Commissioner of Trade and Customs has offered the use, free of charge, of the Alfred Graving Dock at Williamstown for repairing the Sorata, which is expected to reach Melbourne this week. Adelaide, Ist December. The Sorata enquiry has been rcenmed. Green, tho third mate, testified to the carefulness of Captain Fowler and the crew. Frederick Howard, Staff Commander of the Royal Navy, considered the navigation of the Backstairs Passage easy. Abreast Cape Jervis, with the Willoughby light in view, a navigator should steer westward, and get light out of sight. He also thought a steamer like the Sorata should never go nearer land than half a mile.