AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Evening Star, Issue 5590, 7 February 1881, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Per Rotomauajta at thu Blott.]

MELBOURNE, February 1. The political quietude continues through* out the Colony. Messrs Berry and Vale have returned from Sydney, end are bow occupied with departmental work. There is an almost complete dearth of news of more than local interest. A Bill to be presented to the Legislatures of the* several Colonies provides far a new Colonial Court of Appeal, wbiofc will have mrisdiodiction over New South' Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Queensland, Western Australia, and Tasmania. The Governor of each colony shall appoint the Chief Justice to be one of the Judges. The Court may sit with three justices', -and at the plaoe 'where there is the moßt business to be transacted. Any person in the colonies may appeal to this Court, reserving-, however, an appeal to the Privy Council. The appellants must provide security for LSOO. The Australian Froz3n Meat Company have received a telegram that the butter ex Protos Is selling freely in London. The whole venture realised a profit of from L2.0Q0 to L 3.000. It appears probable that the Protos will be permanently employed in the frozen meat trade. It Is stated that the Government intend to prosecute the driver of the goods train in the recent collision at Ballarat. On Friday a board of inquiry proceeded to Ballarat tp investigate the circumstances of the col* fision, Dr Cairns, ono of the oldest Presbyterian ministers in the Colony, died suddenly on Saturday from disease of the heart, Dr Cairns founded the Chalmers Church in Melbourne la 1863. The death ia also announced of Mr Moore Bell, of Banks Brothers and Bell. Baron Von Mueller has written to Mr Berry suggesting that another search expedition should be sent for the recovery of the Leiohhardt party.

SYDNEY.

H.M.S. Emerald has returned to Sydney from the Solomon Islands, and reports that she arrived at Savo on the 18th December, where she obtained information of the massacre of the crew of the Zephyr, of Sydney. After taking on board a guide she prooeeded to Barrango and Florida Islands, and at first a landing party was left, The Emerald on the 20th proceeded to Malay and Tapi, where the crew of the Auckland scheoner Borealis were killed and the vessel taken. The villages were found to be deserted, but Natives being observed on a hill shells were fired at them. A shore party also destroyed six villages. At the plaoe where the Sandfly mas. sftore ooourred the bush was impenetrable. The Native houses were fired and ooooanut trees felled. This work was continued at several other places the party returning to Rita more than once 5 . At Noma Island a cross was ereoted to the memory of Commander Bower and the Sandfly's crew. At Socmbatall traces of the Zephyr were discovered, amongst others the ship's log and articles, At Noma several armed Natives were seen. Toe village was shelled and 100 huts destroyed. Some canoes were alio sunk, At Mawstone Island the Natives fired at the vessel with rifle shot. A large Native village was seen on a hill I,oooft high and some shells were thrown into the place, The Sandfly brings two prisoners.