AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 4087, 10 January 1878, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Per Arawata at the Bluff.] (Melbourne, January 3. The week has been devoted almost entirely to holiday-making. There is nothing of political interest. Most of the Ministers are out of town, and there is not a whisper at present as to the intentions of the Governmont respecting the rejection of the Appropriation Bill. The Champion Race Meeting on New Year's Day was attended by about 20,000 people. The great race itself was somewhat of a disappointment. First King won by at least five lengths in front of the renowned Chester, and the time, smin. 26sec, was faster by eight seconds than anything previously done. Only seven started. Wilson's stable was in fine form, and scored four winners with Bosworth, First King, Savanaka, and Pardon. The bookmakers are said to have lost. Last week was given to cricket. Victoria was shamefully beaten by Sydney in one innings and six runs. From the first it was evident that Victoria was overmatched in the bowling. A match between the Australian Eleven and a combined fifteen of the two colonies produced some splendid cricketing all round. The fifteen was a very strong team, but the eleven proved quite equal to the occasion. Curiously enough, the match resulted in a tie. The eleven had only two runs to get and five wickets to fall, but by bad luck and mischance they failed to make the required runs. The attendance each day numbered from five to six thousand, and very great interest was shown in the play. Two decisions of Allan's were nearly bringing the game to an abrupt conclusion, but as he was withdrawn from the field, all went on smoothly. The salmon ova experiment proved very successful. Mr Dewes Brompton, of the Imperial Treasury, has been appointed DeputyMaster of the Mint here. There are now four theatres and Cooper and Bailey's circus here. They are doing pretty well.

SUEZ MAIL NEWS. The Marquis of Bute has offered to build for the Glasgow University a hall at the cost of £60,000. The Rev. Mr Tooth has resigned the living of Hatcham, noth withstanding the reversal by the Supreme Court of Lord Penzance's decision. | Fighting has begun in the North Indian territory. An Indian force, thirty j tho\isand strong, under General Keys, entered Kowaki territory to punish the Af rides ('?) for attacks on British subjects. Paya is taken. Most of the importations to England are increasing. The Fenian O'Sullivan has been committed for trial in connection with an intended outrage at a banquet to the Duke of Connaught. Agrarian outrages are rife in Kerry and Limerick. Mr M'Donough, Clerk of the Petty Sessions, and a large landed proprietor, was shot dead. A woman and her daughter were brutally murdered near Killarglin. Lady Weeks was shot dead when retiring to bed. There was an exciting scene at the Old Bailey when sentences were passed on Fraggart and the detectives. All of them made eloquent appeals to the Court for mercy on account of their families. The Judge ignored the recommendation to mercy, regretting that the law would npt admit of a higher sentence being passed. Inspector Simmonds has left England to inspect the Mediterranean fortresses. A portion of the British fleet under Admiral Hornby winters at Malta ; another portion, under Admiral Cammerall, at Mytitue. Germany is assisting Russia to procure munitions of war. The rains at Madras have been almost too abundant. All further fears of famine have subsided, and the people are returning to their homes. The Khedive sends 6000 more troops to assist Turkey. The Porte has requested England to nominate a high English officer to act as counsellor to the Khedive. Lord Aberdeen, speaking at Cardiff, said that the state of trade had not been so bad for 40 years. Sir Bartle Frere, Governor of the Cape, has issued a proclamation deposing Krelli, and stating that his territory would henceforth be administered by British officers. The Volunteers and friendly natives have gained several successes. A colliciy explosion occurred at Bromich ; seventeen persons were injured. Lynn's balloon ascension at Bombay nearly ended disastrously, the balloon falling in the sea. The occupants were finally rescued in boats. There is much trouble in the Straits Settlement owing to frequent changes in the Government. Captain Speedy has resigned his appointment. The Russian loan of fifteen millions sterling was a failure. There are three feet of snow around Erzeroum, causing serious! distress to the investing forces,