AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Evening Star, Issue 4485, 14 July 1877, Page 4

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(Per Tarawa at the Bluff.)

The insurance companies have lately been having rather a bad time of it. The Bulli, a steam collier, wrecked on Kent’s Group, was insured for LI 5,500, and the fire which occurred on Tuesday eu the premises of Hugh Thompson, currier and boot manufacturer, involved a further insurance ot L 4,000.

The late prize-fight between Thompson and Christie caused some little commotion in certain circles. The principal and twentysix of those present were summoned to the Police Court, when Thompson and Christie were bound over in sureties to keep the peace, while the others were let off, as there was not sufficient evidence to show that it was a prize-fight. A terrible accident occurred in a Ballarat mine on the 2nd inst., by which two men were smothered by foul air. When taken out both were dead.

The University Council are engaged in perfecting plana for a great hall, to ke built with one donation of Sir Samuel Wilson.

A sum of L 750 has been presented to the ‘ Age ’ proprietors, as an indemnity fund for the late libel action.

Business generally is very dull, and everyone is complaining of the dull times; but this is the dullest time of the year, and the unsettled state of the fiscal arrangements may have something to do with it. All the places of amusement continue to be fairly patronised. Dampier and his clever children are still at the Royal. Levy, the cornet player, is in the Princess’s, and the ordinary performances occupy the boards in the Opera House and the Academy of Music. Ttie Italian Opera season, with the new prima donna, Signora Antonietta Blume, will open in Melbourne towards the end of this month under MrLyster’s management. There appears to be a disposition amongst members to do work. They are well kept in hand by the Speaker, who will not allow the time of the House to be wasted.

Sir Charles Macmahon is scarcely likely to obtain any satisfaction for his statement at Geelong as to the corrupt Speaker. Mr Barry says he has apologised quite enough, and sees no reason for re-opening the question.