OUR AUSTRALIAN LETTER.

Evening Star, Issue 7344, 17 October 1887, Page 2

OUR AUSTRALIAN LETTER.

[From ocr Melbourne Cobrespondent.] thk unemployed Of Victoria continue to approach the Government asking for work. According toa deputation which waited on the Minister of Public Works the other day there are hundreds of men out of employment in the Colony. Mr Nimmosaid that if destitution was as prevalent as the deputation represented, it was a matter for sincere regret; but the Government had done all they could to relieve the distress by creating employment—private charity must be left to deal with exceptional cases of distress. There was never a time in the history of the Colony when more Government contracts were proceeding. THK RAILWAYS. The last Victorian railway returns show that the lines have earned \\ per cent, upon the total capital invested in the lines now opened for traffic. The total revenue is L 2,453,000, and this sum pays expenses (L 1,427,000), interest (L 985.000 net), and leaves a balance of L 40.457 to go towards the expenses of the Windsor collision. The working expenses are 58 per cent, of the income as against 67 per cent, when the Commissioners took office. Since the Commissioners took office they have reduced rates and fares to the amount of L2so,oooperannum, or 10 per cent, of the total earnings of the lines. The country lineß are a drag upon the system at present; but it is recognised that they are necessary for the development of the country, and that they will create remunerative traffic. In reference to the Windsor accident, the Commissioners recommends system by which the liability of the Department should be limited to L1,00(R the traveller to assure beyond that sum. THK NEW HEBRIDES. The public meeting of Melbourne citizens to consider the New Hebrides question was a large and enthusiastic one. Resolutions were carried affirming that the British and Australian interests in the New Hebrides, aiising from the discovery and survey of the group, thirty years' successful missionary enterprise and mercantile intercourse with the Natives deserved the most effective protection from the Empire; and that, as regular steam communication between Austialia and the New Hebrides would afford one of the best means of expressing sympathy with the British people residing there, and of hupporting the interests of Great Britain on the islands, the Victorian Government should be requested to take Bteps to secure the conveyance of at least a monthly mail between Melbourne and Havannah

Harbor. THE NEW SOUTH WALES EDUCATION SYSTEM. The Assistant Inspector - General of the Victorian Education Department (Mr Brodribb) reports that, in sp.te of certain manifest defects, the educational system of New South Wales, as an instrument of popular instruction and mental training, is superior to the system in vogue in Victoria. This, he believes, is largely owing to the fact that in New South Wales there is no direct payment based on the examination of pupils. Mr Brodribb adds that, after his experience of the schools in New South Wales, he can no longer advocate a continuance of the "refcult" system, believing that, with inferior agencies - less skilful teaching, poorer organisation, and less regular attendance—New South Wales is actually doing better work. The 'Argus' jays:— "The changes which Mr Brodribb recommended, however, are, in the opinion of the Minister, of too sweeping a character to be adopted on the advice of one expert, and Mr Pearson has therefore decided to obtam a report from another gentleman of equal experience, who will be asked to visit a number of schools in both colonies, observe the methods of teaching, and note the results attained. The report is to be based on certain well defined lines, which will be prescribed with a view to a thoroughly satit factory comparison of the two systems of education." THE POSTAL CONFEBENCE. The result of the elections in New Zealand may affect Bomewhat seriously the success of the Postal Conference which is to be held in Adelaide in November. The wish of the New South Wales and Victorian Governments has been that the Conference should consider the question of subsidies to cable companies, with the object of apportioning the payments among the whole of the colonies on a more equitable basi < than is now the case. The determination by Sir Julius Vcgel not to provide for any future contribution to the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company, in consideration for the maintenance of the cable between New Squth Wales and New Zealand, relieved his Government from the responsibility of subsidising any of the Australian cable service?, although the Colony continued to benefit by their existence. The greatest share of the cost now falls upon New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia, and these colonies are anxious for some adjustment of the burden. With this end in view efforts were made to induce Sir Julius Vogel to attend the proposed conference, and as he was strongly desirous of advocating the scheme for the purchase by the colonies of the whole of the cables, he gave promise to be present. The defeat of the late Government, and his consequent loss of office, render it impossible for him to keep his promise, and it is doubtful whether bis successor will care to attend. It is understood, however, that the South Australian Government will make special efforts to, pursoade the New Zealand Ministry to send a delegate to Australia. SIB BQBBBT STOUT. Th 3 defeit of the Stout-Vogel Government has not caused much suprise in Melbourne, and Sir Robert Stout does not get the sympathy which he evidently expects. Concerning him, the 'Daily Telegraph' says:—"Sir Robert Stout emerges from the conflict in a singularly damaged and di»hev -lied condition. He is at this moment the most unfortunate politician this side ef the Equator. Seldom indeed has the head of a Ministry been brought into such a condition of ignoble wreck. The New Zealand Premier has lost his portfolio, his seat, his reputation, and his temper, and to the production of these disasters probably none has contributed so much as Sir Robert Stout himself. He has so completely lost, prestige that he has been beaten in his own constituency by a young gentleman of amiable character, but utter unacquaintanco with politics. So Sir Robert Stout marches off the political stage in a huff. Like another Coriolanus, he 'banishes* the ungrateful New Zealand from his care. He renounces politics, but only does this when politics have left him vory little to renounce." * THE AIJTI-CHINESE AG IT AT JON Is being resuscitated in both Sydney and Melbourne. At the former town a large deputation asked the Premier to stcjp Chinese gardeners from working on Sundays, but Sir Henry Patkes indisposed to interfere. Another deputation pointed out to the Minister of Works the offence created by Chinese riding on the tramcars, and asked that separate compartments should be proyided for Celestials. The Minister promised to do something in the matter if possible. Atapublic meeting in the Richmond Town Hall, whicji was largely attended by ladies, the Mayor advocated the total exclusion of the Chinese. Mr J. Bosisto, the senior member of Parliament for Richmond, gave some intt resting figures concerning the influx of Chinese in Victoria, there being now 4,500 miners, 3,000 market gardeners, 1,000 storekeepers, and, about 8.000 various handiprafb-men, and nearly all of • these lived in "grovelling miseiy." The first thing to bo done, he considered, was to stop the issue of any more naturalisation papers to Chinamen, and the next to largely increase the poll-tax. Dr RoseV M.L.A. for North Melbourne,' and several other speakers addressed the meeting. Resolutions to check Chinese immigration and to enforce the factories and health regulations amongst those in Victoria were carried unanimously. Other meetings, at which strongly-worded resolutions were passed, have been held. MUNICIPAL EMBEZZLERS. The Sydney Mutiicipal body is in hot water just now, it having been discovered that embezzlements have been going on in the building surveyor's department in a wholesale fashion. From 1879 to the middle of 1886 misappropriations have been made to the extent of 1/4,790, and they have been concealed by false entries, which ought to have been seen through before had the audits been made in a less perfunctory manner than they appear to have been. The present city auditor of Sydney gives the following cjtndid opinion in regard to the method of book-keeping which has been pursued :—* I have examined the systems of municipal accounts in London, Birmingham, Manchester, i Liverpool, Edinburgh, arid Glasgow, as well as Melbourne and Adelaide. It i* with regret l must confess that the city pf Sydney has the most incomplete and defective system of any.A SHIPPING DJBPJJW.. . A great deal of interest is being Wcenm i shipping circles in the dispute which has occurred at Adelaide between the local steamship company and unions oomposing the Maritime Council. Thecause of the dispute is the xefusal of the Company to permit their masters and officers beiiig members of the Masters and Officers Association, which is affiliated with the Maritime Council. The Company's action is , due to the fact that they oonsider that officers

should represent the owners in all matters apnertaining to their vessels, and that proper discipline cannot be kept up if the officers are members of an organisation associated with particular interests. The shipping labor bodies, on the other hand, regard the Company's action as an attempt to unduly interfere with the rights and privileges of the officers. The disp'ay of hostilities which has taken place ha?) resulted in the Company resolving to lay up the whole of their fleet, aud from all accounts they intend to be very firm in the matter. THK EXHIBITION. Great preparations are Wing made for the Melbourne Centennial Exhibition, and carpenters ate busily employed in making extensive temporary additions to tho Exhibition buildings. At the last meeting of the Executive Committee letters were received from the secretary of the London Commission, showing that the Exhibition was largely attracting the attention of English manufacturers, but it was stated that there was very little chance of Frauce being officially represented. The Chief Secretary has been informed that the sum of Ll7,fioo would be required to meet expenses during the next three months. POLITICAL NOTHS. The chief political events of the month have been the retirement of Mr I*. Lalor as Speaker of the Legislative Assembly through ill-health, and tho election of Mr M. H. Uanoa a* his successor. The wranglings which have taken place over the vote of L 4.000 to Mr Lalor have by no means been creditable, and the disputants were b ought to their senses one night when j they were informed that their scandalous squabbling was giadually killing their late Speaker. The election of Mr M. H. Davies over Mr Bent by ono vote was very ungraciously received by certain members of the House. Mr Gaunson asserted that it was a gross insult to tho House that a man who had displayed no fitness for the position should have nut himself forward as a candidate for the Sneaker's chair, and his election was the biggest job ever perpetrated. Mr M'Lellan protested against the way in which Mr Davitsi had been elected. Was it to be the rue in the future he asked, that any wealthy fool might be pitched into a high position by the mfhence of the Government of the.day? Mr Davics, in his opinion, had shown no qualification for the olHce of Speakor. Whatever might be the views of the Premier now, seven years ago he would not have touched Mr Davics with tho point of his boot. The Speaker-elect is the grandson of the Kev. J. Davies, of South Wales, Congregational minister, and the son of Mr E. Davies. Ho was born in Geelong in 1850, and after his edueaiion at the Church of England Grammar School, aud collego at Geelong, and at the Melbourne University, ho studied law, and in 187") he was admitted as an attorney of the Supreme Court of Victoria. In tho same year he married the eldest daughter of the Rev. Dr Mercer, Presbyterian minister. In 1880* he headed the poll at the Prahran municipal election, and the following year he was placed in the Mayoral chair. In 1883 he was returned to Parliament, and ho has been a member of the present Government without office. Mr Davies is a director of the National Mutual Life Association, the Victoria |Land Company, Balfour, Elliott, and Co., and the Colonial Investment and Agency Company, and he is president of the City of Melbourne Building Society. Ho has also been president of the Young Men's Christian Association of Melbourne, of which he was a founder. THK THKATBES, ETC. Melbourne is as fei tile as ever in amusoments. During the past week all the theatres and halls have been occupied, and a fair amount of patronage has been accorded. At the (>pera House "Our Boys" has been produced, and at the Bijou " Held by the Enemy." t n the termination of the Brough and Boucicault season Mr Harwood was givon a bonefit. the programme consisting of " The Pickpocket and a miscellany, including "Tho Blind Beggars. At the Princess's " Les Cloches de Comeville has held the board?, Miss Colborne Baber appearing as Scrpolette, and Miss May Pollard (late of the juvenile troupe) as Germaine. Both ladies succeeded in making a good impression. A benefit concert has been given to Mr J. Siede, ono of the veteran musicians of Melbourne, and at this Mr C. M. J. Edwards, a tenor singer, who hails from New Zealand, made a creditable appearance.—The 118 th concert of the Liedertafel took place at the Town Hall, and pißsed off with the customarv eclat. Mr S. Moyle, who during his stay in Dunedin started your own Liedertafel, hai resumed his resumed his place among the second basses cf the Society, and at the receut concert acted as soloirt in oin of the part songs.—The lusk Jubilee Singers have made thtir re-appeaiauce at the Town Had, and are doing well.—The last cf the present terns of Mr (iuerett s mis. turned "popular"concerts hastakenplac-.-Mr David Lee, tho city organist, has returned from hia visit Home, and commences a series of I ecitals shortly. Mr 11. Atkinson, recently connected with the NewZ-aland postal service, has come to Melbourne for the purpose of joining the musical profession. .... t Mr A. J. C. Baber was the vocalist at one of Mr Guenett's popular concerts recently. He san"' "Tho Exile's Dream" (Lassen), "To Authca" (Hatton), and "The Erl-king' (Schubert.) He met with a very favorable reception, and he was at his best in the first two songs. Concerning his other < ffoit one of the clitics writes : -"If Mr Baber did not succeed in imparting to the weird romance of Schubert all the passion and terror necessary to give to it Its true effect, his comparative failure was only another demonstration of the seeming nonexistence of a singer fully capable of doing Mitire justice to this uniquo ballad-legend.' In Sjdney "The Silver King" has been replaced by " Harbor Lights "at the Royal. The last performances of "Twelfth Night ' are announced at he Criterion. At Hr Majesty s Theatre, "Alone," with Mr Rignold as Colonel Chalice, and "Black-eyed Susan," with the fame gentleman as William, have been produced. Mr St. Maur's comedy season at the Opera House begins on the 17th inst. with "Brighton." The Gaiety having undeigonea thorough overhaul has been re-opened by Mr Dampier with " Shamus O'Brien." The Royal Standard is occupied by Walsh and King s minstrels; the Y.M.C.A. Hall by Miss So Her, Madame Poussard, and Mr Valmen-y ; and the Alhambra by some acrobats. ITEMS*. An intercolonial conference of delegates representing the manufacturers of several of tho colonies was hold at Adelaide last week, the object being to consider tho best means of bringing about commercial reciprocity. Mr D. IL Eunson, who was to represent Dunedin, was unfortunately unable to be present through the detention of the s.s. Mararoa in quarantine. A cruel hoax his been perpetrated on tho Rev. B. Butchers, of the Carlton "Wesleyan Church. During his absence at Adelaide m bad health, a notice of his death was sent to one of the newspapers and published in good faith as the communication bore the name of a prominent member '.f Mr Butcher's congregation. The signature proved to be a forgery, J t is hard to imagine the malice which prompted an action which has caused much pain to Mr Butchers' relatives and friende. It is reported that the mines owned by tho South Australian Mining and Smelting Company are turning out sensationally rich. Visitors Lscrt that tho hill comprising the property presents the appearance of a solid mass of mineral, and that the mines will turnout the richest discovery of silver and lead in the colonies. A sudden death occurred at tho Jewish Synagogue, Sandhurst, during the celebration of the Atonement. Mr Jacob Beaver, a well-known member of the congregation, fell suddenly forward, and expired. Mr Beaver was seventy-six years of age. It has been decided to form a company in Sydney for the putpofe of marketing, exporting, preserving, and storing fruit, with a capital of 1,20,000. , ~. , Mr A. Danscy, ft Richmond publican, has died under peculiar circumstances. The municipal dog-catchers seized two valuable dogs belonging to him, and ho became so agitat d over tho matter that he fell down in a swoon, and instantly expired. r The tall given by the Mayor and Mayoress of Melbourne at the Town Hall was one of the largest and most; successful gatherings of the eeason. The number of guests was computed at 1.500. . A ... A dastardly attempt was made to wreck the pneeial train in which tho Governor and party were conveyed to Charlton or the occasion of a recent agricultural show. A platelayer discovered a pile of stones on the railway line between Kerang and Charlton, but the obstructions were removed in time to prevent the intended catastrophe. A bequest of L 1.200 has beca made by Mr J. O Marley, of West Melbourne, for the founding of a scholarship at Trinity College for the benefit of candidates for holy order*. Mr Justice Fancett, of the New South Wales Bench, contemplates an early retirement fiom active service. The admistlm of lady irndical students to <h'i Melbourne University has been trr subject of a consultative conference between the University Council and the members of the Faculty of Medicine. The mfedical professors and lee-

turers thought that the lectures and classes should not bo altered to sut lady students. Professor Allen, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, expressed the opinion that there would be no difficulty experienced in giving tho usual lecturestomixedclassesofmaleandfemalestudeats, but that a real difficulty would arise when the practical work of atntomy, dissection, surgery, andclinxal teaching was entered upon by the female studonts. He thought that this kind of practice could not with propriety bo conducted bv voung men and young women in one room and at one time, and this view was generally agreed with. No definite course of action was dSd upon, but the question will come up Morrison having moved- ' That the couraU of inatrubfcion, theoretical and practical, for male and female students, be mall respects rimHar; but that, with a view to obviate obiecPraotiee also.

" I cannot understand, my dear, why it is that you, who have such an excellent man for a husband, should quarrel with him so often." "Don'tyou? Well, it is because he always brings me home a present at nigni; to make up. See?"