AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XX, Issue 3908, 7 May 1877, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Per Ringarooma.] Melbourne, April 30. The Premier announced the Government policy in his speech to the electors at Warmambool. It includes a reduction of 20 per cent, on duties for the purpose of freeing trade ; the imposition of a land tax and a stamp tax, which will be sufficient to meet the reduction from Customs; Legislative Council reform, by increasing the number of members and of provinces, and lowering the qualifications of electors and of members ; the time for holding land before a title is granted is to be increased from three to' ten years ; a Mining on Private Property Bill and a Civil Service Reform Bill are amongst the principal measures promised. The policy generally has been favorably received. Berry and Casey have been very bitter against it, and there is promise of a want-of-confidence motion so soon as the new House meets. The elections are occupying all the public attention, and some excitement exists. Colonel Serolibly and Sir William Jervis commence their duties here on the work of defence about June. They begin first in Sydney. Five men belonging to the Admiralty surveying vessel were lost last week in Banks Straits, through the boat capsizing during a squall. Richard Ford, Town Clerk of Ballarat, has been appointed secretary to the new Harbor Trust Commission at a salary of £750 a-year. There were sixty applicants. The railway to Dunkeld is opened, 47 miles from Ararat. Business is improving, the markets hardening on the l'eceipt of war news. The theatres are not doing much. Four are now open, besides other places of amusements. Mrs Jury, the real sister of Arthur Orton, has come out, expecting to see her brother in the Paramatta asylum. Very heavy rains have fallen. It is now turning cold and wintry.