AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1618, 28 April 1879, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[By Telegraph.] [PEH PBES3 AGENCY.] [Melbourne, via Bluff.] Political matters continue dull, and there have been no Ministerial utterances during the week ; but the Cabinet is engaged in the preparation of measures for the coming session, which it is anticipated will he very exciting, as an appeal to the country on the reform question is inevitable. The Governor has made two good ; sensible, practical speeches—one at the distribution of prizes at the Church of England Grammar school, and the other at t' e University dinner. I.ady Normanby is sufficiently recovered to hold receptions, which are numerously attended. At the annual commemoration at the University, Saturday, Sir Bryan O’Loghlen, on coming up for his degree of M.A., was loudly hooted by the undergraduates, who were more than usually noisy this year, so much so as to call for the condemnation of the Chancellor, who threatened to adjourn the proceedings. The Governor afterwards in a speech referred to the definition of a gentleman. His remarks were evidently prompted by the noisy conduct of the undergraduates. The weather has been beautifully fine and summer like, but disastrous to the country, as all agricultural operations are at a standstill from want of rain. In many parts water is not even obtainable for domestic purposes. The railway department has scarcely water enough for the locomotives, and complaints are numerous of the ruin to the crops. Arthur McCadey, a warehouseman and importer, has been sentenced to nine months for fraudulent insolvency. Since .£IOOO was given anonymously by Messrs Wilson and McKinnon in 1871 for an engineering scholarship at the university, the scholarship has been formed and named the Argus Scholarship. Sir William Jervois’ defence scheme has undergone several important modifications. Instead of a pile fort and armaments in the bay there are to be shore batteries, to be armed with the new ten-inch Armstrong guns. The Hadlleld bushrangers, who only had a short careeer, have been sentenced to death at Deniliquim. It is probable that only Gorman, the ringleader, who fired the shot by which Power was wounded, will be executed.

Professor McCoy, of the University, has been awarded the Murchison Medal by the Royal Geological Society. The late shareholders of the Hobson’s Bay Railway Company have been paid the value of their shares. Those held in the colony amount to ,£301,353. The largest shareholder was Mr W. J. Clarke, who had close upon a hundred thousand.

Nothing has been heard of the Kellys. The ten men known as the Kelly sympathisers, after being kept in gaol five months, have been discharged as no evidence was brought against them.

The eight hours demonstration on Monday was very successful. Fifteen thousand persons attended the fete. Several of the ministers were present. The Victoria Fire and Marine Insurance Company is to be wound np and a new company formed. The assets, which amount to nearly a quarter of a million, will be divided amongst the shareholders.

Four vessels have been chartered to load breadstuffs for Callao, and 1800 tons of flour and 1600 tons of wheat are being conveyed to South America. This is in consequence of the war between Chili and Bolivia. Business still continues very dull. All the places of amusement continue to be well attended, especially the opera, where the average takings are nearly a thousand per week.

Captain Bance, of the Royal Navy, lately attached to the Postal Department, is dead. Some suspicion exists that his death was hastened by an overdose administered by Lis attendant. Cook and Kalkenny when they have concluded their billiard matches, will proceed to New Zealand after visiting Sydney. Mr Alfred Plumton has been elected by the ceremonial committee of the exhibition to write a cantata for the opening. The poem is to be left open for competition in all Australian Colonies.

The P. and O. Company intend issuing return tickets at reduced fares daring the Sydney and Melbourne Exhibitions, allowing three months in Australia.