AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY. [PERO HERO AT AUCKLAND.]

Evening Post, Volume XXI, Issue 18, 24 January 1881, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY. [ PERO HERO AT AUCKLAND.]

In the Assembly, Mr. Buchanan moved the second reading of the Matrimonial Causes Act Amendment Bill, wich is similar to the Divorce Bill whioh has previously received the sanction of the New South Wales Parliament, and on three different occasions has been sent to England, though unsuccessfully, for the Royal assent. The only difference found in the present measure compared with the previous bills is that it is restricted to persons domiciled in the colony, which Mr. Buchanan inserted in order to meet the objections of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, who notified that if the restrictions were adopted, he would advise her Majesty to give her assent. The reading was agreed to on division by 40 to 14. Reports received from the country state that the drought has broken up. The dams at Botany were not affected to any extent. The fears which have been entertained by the Sydney and Melbourne friendß of Mr. Clarson, who started on a sketching tour for the Illustrated Sydney News and several European papers, have been set at rest by his safe arrival from Queensland, after an absence of seventeen weeks. Melbourne, 17th January. At a banquet at Portland, Mr. Langridge, replied for the Ministry, and said the Government had been met with difficulties, and had not had fair play in their endeavor to carry out the system cf retrenchment, and had not been allowed a proper recess to prepare measures for useful and important legislation. Major Smith also responded, and said it was necessary to float one more loan in England, after which Victoria will have to depend on her own resources. Richard Hart, brother to the outlaw, has been arrested at Echuca for highway robbery. A boy of fifteen has been arrested at Sleightz for shooting a girl of thirteen and wounding her. The present indications of the wheat harvest are not so good as last year. Legal proceedings have been commenced •by Herr Wildner, conductor of the Austrian band, against Herr Schonberger, to recover £1300. AtabanquetatWarrnambool, Major Smith, in response for the Government, said he believed the present Government commanded the respect, esteem, and confidence of the people, more particularly moderate people. He believed the colony was entering a season of unprecedented prosperity. Phillips, one of Leichardt's companions in his first expedition, is living in seclusion at the head of the Diamond Creek. Brisbane, 17th January. The Brooker Islanders have again attacked Frier's b£che de mer station at Kaloumnay Island, but were successfully repulsed. Skuthorpe telegraphs from Blackall Station that the diary oi Classan (which he has discovered) is to the effect that he left Leichardt at Saltwater Creek while he searched for water. On returning he found the party dead. He then joined the blacks, with whom he lived till three years ago. Skuthorpe will not allow anyone to inspect the relics at Blackall. It is considered doubtful whether the discovery is genuine. The Queensland Insurance Company's dividend will be 10 per cent., and £2798 will be carried forward. '

f UNITED PBBSS ASSOCIATION. 1 Sydney, 17th January.