VICTORIA.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 5769, 17 August 1880, Page 3

VICTORIA.

At Ned Kelly's examination before Mr Forster, the Magistrate at Beechworth, the Crown Solicitor prosecuted and Mr Gaunson defended the prisoner. Captain Standish and Superintendent Sadleir were present. The Court was crowded each day, a large number of ladies being among those present. Mrs Skillian, Tom Lloyd, and Dick Hart were also in Court. Kelly was charged with the murder of Constables Lonigan and Scanlan at Stringybark Creek. The prisoner was carried into the dock and allowed to rest, being Btill lame. Evidence was given of Kelly having frequently admitted that he had shot the constables with his own hand, and he. was fully committed for trial. A number of people now recognise Ned Kelly as a man whom they frequently saw during the last two yoars at racecourses, hotel bars, and other public places. It is stated that Ned Kelly actually visited Melhourne in July last year, and slept in a hotel in Bourke-street, where he conversed about the Kellys. The Argus states that four months ago two men named Smith and Morgan were bailed up by the outlaws near Three-mile Creek. They were taken to a hut, where they enjoyed an abundant supper, and after compelling them to take an oath of secresy they were released. Morgan was kept under surveillance for some time. It was proposed tbat he should join the gang, but he was found to be unsuitable. It is likely that a Board will be appointed to inquire into the matter of the inspection of lighthouses, &c, with the view of ascertaining all departures from official ordors. This has arisen through the suspension of Captain Payne, the Harbor Master, on the ground of his having temporarily withdrawn the fog signal gong from the lightship without notifying the same to the department, his reason for withdrawing it being that it was not working right. It is stated that the absence of the signal was the cause of the Rounda going ashore. Goods are arriving rapidly for the Exhibition and preparations for the opening are briskly proceeding. Sir George Verdon has resigned the Chairmanship of the Exhibition Committee and Sir Samuel Wilson is appointed Chairman. The latter has been lately performing the duties during Sir George Verdon's absence. As a precaution against goods being removed improperly from the Exhibition building it is declared a bonded warehouse. The Argus, Bpeaking of the appointment of Sir Hercules Robinson as Governor of the Cape, says that the whole of the Australasian colonies will regret losing so judicious an adviser. The Cricketing Associotions of New South Wales and Victoria have sent telegrams to. the Australians in England congratulating them on their success, and expressing sympathy at the unfriendly treatment they had met with. A train from Melbourne to Geelong was run into by an engine going to be repaired. The Baloon carriage was damaged and one lady seriously injured. Several other passengers were badly shaken. An important will case, White against Hoddell, has been amicably settled. The ■ plaintiff takes half the Elizabeth-street property, valued at a quarter of a million, and receives half the rents for 17 years, his share of that being £49,000. The Argus, in an article on mining at Ballarat, congratulates the district on the solid prospects before it. New discoveries are being daily made, and it is considered that there are many years' profitable industry for gold miners around Ballarat A number of the unemployed waited on Mr Berry asking for work. He informed them there was no fresh work possible, but he would remove some single men who were now working to make room for married men with families. There are 12,000 altogether employed on relief worka. The Commercial Bank has held its halfyearly meeting, the first since its amalgamation with the European Bank. A dividend at tho rate of 8 per cent, was declared. The first lot of the wool clip was shipped hy the Garonne on the 9th of August.

In the Legislative Council Mr Sladen created a sensation by enquiring whether the Commissioner of Customs was the Mr Clark whose paper recently printed a disloyal and insulting remark about the Qneen. Mr Read declined to reply^bnt on a further question being put he said if any member of tlie Council would accept the Postmaster - Generalship he could have the appointment. Referring to Mr. Berry s speech to his constituents, the Argus says that a sum ol £657,000 is required to meet engagements of the past year. It also declares that Mr Berry calculated a sum of £79,000 of income twice oven